History and Mission of the ASU Foundation

The history of the ASU Foundation is the story of several generations of people who shared a vision for Arizona State University - a vision that successfully turned a small teachers' college into an educational institution at the front ranks of American research universities.

Incorporated in 1955, the foundation took shape through a group of Valley residents who understood that a great city could not be built without building a great university to sustain and support it.  The ASU Foundation is one of the state’s oldest 501(c)(3) organizations.

Vision and Mission
Today, the ASU Foundation advances Arizona State University as a New American University committed to excellence, access and impact. 

Closely aligned with the university, the ASU Foundation is independently governed and professionally managed. Guided by a board of trustees who are committed supporters and civic leaders, and governed by an engaged board of directors, the foundation seeks to be the principal philanthropic priority of its members and to become the "board of choice" in Arizona.  It seeks to secure ASU's future by serving as a powerful and articulate advocate of the university with a broad set of communities and stakeholders that ASU needs and wants to be engaged in constructive partnership and collaboration.

In order to help fuel and sustain ASU's emergence as a regional force for good and as a national example of both quality and access, the ASU Foundation is focused on delivering a significantly enhanced level of private funding resources.  The foundation advances this mission by:

• Encouraging,  securing and prudently managing philanthropic investments by individuals, corporations and foundations;
• Developing financial assets through a variety of entrepreneurial activities in partnership with others; and
• Serving as advisors to and champions for the university.

It actively engages the greater ASU community as partners in these activities. The foundation aspires to become a model of professionalism, conducting its activities in a manner that conveys and represents a high level of discipline, accountability, service and performance.