Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The South Dakota State University Foundation was established in 1945–1946 as an independent, nonprofit organization to support the university through private philanthropy. Its creation was prompted in part by the need to secure external funding for research initiatives, including work associated with Professor E. L. Erickson. Organized as a 501(c)(3) entity, the Foundation developed as the primary private funding partner for South Dakota State University, separate from state appropriations and tuition revenue.
Over time, the Foundation expanded its role to manage endowed funds, administer scholarships, and support academic programs, faculty initiatives, and capital projects. Governed by a Board of Governors and a large Council of Trustees, it oversaw a growing endowment and coordinated major fundraising efforts, including comprehensive capital campaigns. In 2017, the Foundation and the SDSU Alumni Association began co-locating operations, reflecting increased coordination between advancement and alumni engagement. This collaboration culminated in a formal consolidation effective January 1, 2026, creating the SDSU Alumni & Foundation, which unified fundraising and alumni relations functions under a single organizational structure to support the university’s long-term development.