Program areas at Western Oregon University Development Foundation
464 wou students received a total of $1,004,501 scholarships, student aid and student loans for the continuation of their education and advancement toward the completion of their degrees. The wou Foundation board and staff actively engage in growing our capacity for scholarships. In addition to the many on-going current use and endowed scholarships, we actively engage donors to create new named scholarships, endowments or give to the general scholarship fund. Scholarships provide the opportunity for students to live more fully, experience more and make college affordable.
The Foundation sponsors University programs and activities that assist students in the pursuit of cultural, scientific, educational, and athletic programs. In spring 2022, during our annual giving day, alumni, employees, family, and community gave more than $298,000 to support activities across campus including the fund for wou, emergency student aid, wou food pantry, scholarships, model united nations, smith fine arts series, stonewall center, veterans resource center and more. Funds raised during this important day and throughout the year, continue to support the wou Foundation's small competitive grant program that helps create innovation and enrich the student experience.
The Foundation is committed to serve, support and strengthen Western Oregon University. The goals and objectives of the Foundation are to accelerate volunteer and alumni engagement to participate in mentoring, fundraising and other activities to support the student experience.after completing research with donors, volunteers and alumni, based in appreciative inquiry, the Foundation has established a vision for the future: to ensure every student has the opportunity to have access to a quality educational experience that increases their ability to succeed in our ever-changing global economy and society. To this end, we are focusing on raising funds in five key areas: student scholarships, instructional innovation, facilities and fields, reducing barriers to student success, and enhancing programs that enrich the student experience.