NAU Elevate / The Campaign for NAU

Aerial view of a white domed building surrounded by trees and parking lots, with a cityscape and mountains in the background under a clear sky.
A group of young adults walk on a sunlit campus sidewalk, passing trees and a brick academic building in the background.
A group of young adults walk on a sunlit campus sidewalk, passing trees and a brick academic building in the background.

Elevate access for students

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A person examines a blue 3D-printed object in a workshop, with shelves of equipment and a laptop displaying a graph in the background.
A person examines a blue 3D-printed object in a workshop, with shelves of equipment and a laptop displaying a graph in the background.

Elevate academic excellence

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Two men walk and talk outside a modern building; one wears a robotic exoskeleton device on his right leg.
Two men walk and talk outside a modern building; one wears a robotic exoskeleton device on his right leg.

Elevate faculty impact

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Aerial view of a university campus with multiple buildings, green spaces, and mountains in the background during sunset.
Aerial view of a university campus with multiple buildings, green spaces, and mountains in the background during sunset.

Elevate the campus experience

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About the Campaign

It’s time to take Northern Arizona University to the next level.

NAU is on a mission to give every student access to a high-quality education that leads to lifelong economic mobility and social impact.

Elevate, the campaign for Northern Arizona University, is our $300 million call to action—to make education more accessible, advance academic excellence, support and attract visionary faculty, and elevate the campus experience.

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Our Priorities

Elevate NAU

This is more than a fundraiser. Elevate NAU is a call to action to drive impact across four essential priorities.

01

Elevate access for students

Every student deserves access to a high-quality education, but for many, cost is the greatest barrier. More than 97 percent of NAU students receive financial aid, and investing in scholarships helps us ensure that cost doesn’t stand in the way of a student’s dream.
02

Elevate academic excellence

NAU is committed to awarding 100,000 people an NAU credential by 2035, with a focus on preparing students for sustainable, purpose-driven careers. We provide students with real-world experience, mentorship, and the critical skills needed to succeed. Endowed gifts and naming opportunities will help expand these experiences.
03

Elevate faculty 
impact

As we build on our Carnegie-recognized R1 research status, we aim to double NAU’s number of endowed positions. An investment ensures the brightest minds have the resources they need to inspire students, make groundbreaking discoveries, and create real-world solutions that strengthen communities.
04

Elevate the campus experience

A vibrant, welcoming campus fuels belonging, creativity, and growth. We’re continuing to reimagine the student experience—investing in spaces like a new, state-of-the-art College of Nursing building that will help address Arizona’s healthcare provider shortage and revitalizing core areas of our Flagstaff mountain campus.

Fundraising Goal

$300 million

Every dollar brings us closer to our bold vision to take NAU and its community to the next level. Let’s elevate NAU together.

$241,912,086
Raised

Annual Engaged alumni goal

8,000 alumni

Whether alumni give their time, talent, treasure, or testimony, their pride and support are helping build an even brighter future for NAU. Join us!

5,794
Engaged
A young woman in a blue dress stands outdoors in front of tall cacti and desert landscaping, smiling at the camera.
A woman with short light brown hair wearing a beige blazer and patterned blouse, posed in front of a gray background.
A woman in the foreground smiles and looks engaged, while another woman in the background is also smiling, both in a casual indoor setting.
Three women stand next to a hospital bed with a medical training mannequin; one woman appears to be instructing the others.
“A degree isn’t just a personal goal. It lays the foundation for a future dedicated to giving back to the community that helped me get to where I stand today.” Dayana Amaya, ’29 Student, The W. A. Franke College of Business
Turning obstacles into opportunities
“We don’t just drop in and then leave. We partner with schools to identify their goals and walk alongside them as they reach them.” Rose Ylimaki Del and Jewell Lewis Endowed Chair in Educational Leadership
Read about an endowed chair changing education
“My professors took such an interest in me, personally. They knew me, and they wanted me to succeed. That’s why I’ve given back, [because] these students will be leaders in the classroom, leaders on campus, and they’ll challenge their peers and professors in ways that strengthen the entire university. They’ll graduate well-prepared for meaningful careers—and there’s a much higher probability they’ll give back. I hope it will come full circle.” Theresa Jeszka Drew, ’79 Donor
Learn more about Drew’s motivation for giving
A modern, purpose-built facility will allow us to expand enrollment, strengthen clinical partnerships, and prepare more nurses to serve Arizona’s communities. The impact will be immediate and far-reaching, with more qualified graduates entering the workforce, more access to care for rural and underserved populations, and a stronger healthcare system across the state. Janina Johnson Dean, College of Nursing
Support the College of Nursing

Get involved

Make a gift

Decide exactly where your money is invested and create a lasting impact.
Gift Planning

Leave a legacy you’re proud of while preserving your financial future.
Jacksfunder

Empower students, fuel research, and drive impact through crowdfunding.
Volunteer

Share your time and talent to help future generations prepare and thrive.

Stories of impact

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Academic excellence

A love story sustained in small, steady notes

This decades-long love story was shaped by a shared passion for choral music and steadfast generosity.
Three young women walk outside on a sunny day, smiling and wearing university-branded shirts, with a modern building and trees in the background.
News and announcements

Helios invests $2.5 million in NAU
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Access for students

Alumni Kirsten and Steve Butzow help local families find their way to NAU
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Faculty impact

Endowed professorship honors Steven Hemphill’s legacy in percussion

“Every time I visit NAU I feel a sense of energy and Lumberjack spirit that is truly unique.”

Steve sanghi
Honorary Doctorate, ’19
CEO Microchip Technology