The McNeese State University Foundation was incorporated in 1965 as a 501(c)3, non-profit organization established to support student scholarships through endowments. Since 1965, the Foundation’s mission has broadened to include support for endowed faculty professorships and chairs. Centers for teaching excellence, cultural programming, athletic enhancement, and other projects linked to McNeese State University’s interests are also supported through the Foundation.

 

The McNeese Foundation's purpose is to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward private gifts including real and personal property, limited or conditional gifts, grants, planned gifts or other bequests offered toward advancement of the institution. The Foundation’s current trust fund, exceeding $53 million, annually awards over $1 million in student scholarships, faculty development awards, campus improvements, state-of-the-art technology and other academic enhancements. Requests for endowed funds originate with the Foundation Board of Directors, a volunteer entity that governs all allocations.

 

The McNeese Foundation supports the University by providing endowed scholarships, professorships and chairs and ancillary funding to ensure achievement of the institution’s four core values. The Foundation is composed of business, industry and community leaders whose support and guidance facilitate the achievement of the University’s mission. The beneficiaries of the McNeese State University Foundation include students, faculty, staff and the community of Southwest Louisiana and beyond.