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Welcome to the WMU Foundation

The Western Michigan University Foundation was founded in 1976 by a dedicated group of alumni and friends who foresaw the importance of private support to the University’s future. The WMU Foundation is an independent, tax exempt 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that operates to promote and provide financial support to Western Michigan University. Through the WMU Development Office staff, the Foundation seeks gifts from the private sector to make up the difference between the cost of receiving an education and the support that is available from student tuition, fees and the state of Michigan.

The Foundation exists as an independent agency to offer greater flexibility in fund management. By operating as a private not-for-profit corporation, the WMU Foundation serves the University by maintaining private fund accounts from one fiscal year to the next, as well as keeping confidentiality of donor information. Public universities lack this flexibility as dollars can only be expended within state regulations. The WMU Foundation also operates in a politically neutral, less restrictive environment, thus making it more efficient and effective in carrying out its mission.

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Scholarships Established Through Private Support

Western Michigan University offers a wide variety of scholarships to students, many of which were made possible through the generosity of our donors. For a complete list of these scholarships, please visit the Student Financial Aid Scholarship Guide. Once there, you may search for a scholarship by name by using the box in the bottom left corner of the Student Financial Aid Scholarship Guide page.