University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation
The University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises and stewards private philanthropic funds for the University of North Dakota, managing donor recognition programs, a $625M capital campaign, and alumni engagement initiatives.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1889
- HeadquartersGrand Forks, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation does
The University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation is a nonprofit fundraising and alumni-engagement organization that stewards private philanthropic support for the University of North Dakota. Founded June 13, 1889, and headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota, it operates with approximately 68 staff organized into five departments: Executive, Development, Finance & Operations, Marketing & Communications, and Talent Management. Its core function is donor cultivation, gift processing, and stewardship of restricted and unrestricted funds flowing to UND programs, scholarships, and facilities.
The foundation runs a multi-tier donor recognition architecture that includes the 1,000+ member 1889 Legacy Society (planned giving), the Eternal Flame Society with six giving circles, and the Champions Club, alongside a curated alumni travel program operated in partnership with GoNext. Its principal commercial/operational surface is the Forever UND capital campaign, whose original $500M goal was exceeded ahead of schedule and uplifted to $625M to be completed by the end of 2026. The foundation has also extended its programmatic footprint into community wellness (Blue Zones Project partnership with Altru Health System) and public health (ND85 initiative with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services), and publishes digital content such as UND Eats.
The revenue model is philanthropic rather than transactional: the foundation does not sell a product or service, but rather secures donations, bequests, and grants from alumni and external supporters and deploys them in support of UND's mission. Go-to-market relies on direct donor relationships, alumni events, planned-giving programs, and brand-affiliated content channels rather than commercial pricing or contracts.
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation
- Legal name
- UND Alumni Association & Foundation
- Website
- https://undalumni.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1889
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises and stewards private philanthropic funds for the University of North Dakota, managing donor recognition programs, a $625M capital campaign, and alumni engagement initiatives.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education Philanthropy Services
- NAICS
- Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Alumni Relations & Alumni Engagement Programs (EDALAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB), Major Gifts, Planned Giving & Endowment Development (EDALAOAC), Advancement Services & Donor Operations (CRM, Gift Processing, Stewardship) (EDALAOAD), Alumni Communications, Marketing & Publications (EDALAOAF), Alumni Events, Reunions & Regional Chapters (EDALAOAG)
Keywords
Where University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Forks
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations & Fundraising: The organization raises funds through annual giving, planned/legacy gifts, major donor recognition circles (Adelphi Circle, William Budge Circle, Dr. Cora Smith Circle, Thomas Clifford Circle, President's Circle), Champions Club memberships, and the ongoing Forever UND capital campaign (current goal: $625 million by end of 2026). The 1889 Legacy Society recognizes donors who have made estate, planned, or deferred gifts.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The UND Alumni Association & Foundation engages University of North Dakota alumni and supporters through events, communications, and volunteer opportunities, while raising philanthropic funds for the university via annual giving, planned and legacy gifts, and major donor recognition programs. It is the official steward of alumni relations and charitable fundraising for UND, supporting students, faculty, programs, and capital needs through donor-funded initiatives.
Product overview
The UND Alumni Association & Foundation operates as a comprehensive alumni engagement and fundraising organization for the University of North Dakota. Its product portfolio consists primarily of service offerings rather than a unified software platform. Key offerings include: the UND Alumni Magazine (quarterly publication) and multiple email newsletters (Big 3 monthly, Insider News biweekly, 1889 Newsletter, Annual Giving Newsletter, Eternal Flame Society Newsletter); donor recognition programs including the Eternal Flame Society with its Giving Circles and the 1889 Legacy Society for planned giving; the Forever UND Campaign fundraising initiative; the News & Stories digital content platform with sub-features like Class Notes, Alumni Authors, and UND Eats directory; operational services including event support, e-blast communications, fundraising initiative planning, and donation requests; and a donor portal for managing donor profiles and transactions. The organization does not appear to offer a software product in the traditional SaaS sense.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Eternal Flame Society: Donor recognition society honoring alumni and friends who have passed the torch of knowledge to the next generation through financial contributions.
- 1889 Legacy Society
- Champions Club
- ND85 Initiative
- Forever UND: The Campaign for the University of North Dakota
Products and services
- UND Alumni Magazine Quarterly flagship print and digital publication distributed to UND alumni and donors, featuring university news, alumni stories, and donor recognition content.
- Big 3 Newsletter Weekly digital newsletter highlighting three top stories for UND alumni and supporters.
- Insider News Insider news content stream providing UND alumni and donors with timely updates and behind-the-scenes content.
- 1889 Newsletter Newsletter serving members of the 1889 Legacy Society, UND's planned giving recognition program.
- Annual Giving Newsletter Newsletter communicating impact and updates to UND annual fund donors.
- Eternal Flame Society Newsletter Newsletter for members of the Eternal Flame Society, UND's major donor recognition program.
- News & Stories Web Platform Online news and stories hub featuring UND alumni achievements, donor impact stories, and university updates.
- 1889 Legacy Society UNDAF's planned giving recognition society that honors donors who have included the University of North Dakota in their estate plans.
- Eternal Flame Society Major donor recognition society that honors individuals and families making significant contributions to UND.
- Forever UND Campaign Comprehensive fundraising campaign mobilizing alumni and donor support for University of North Dakota priorities.
- Champions Club Annual giving membership program that recognizes UND supporters contributing recurring and sustained gifts.
- Jensen Leadership Legacy Leadership legacy giving program honoring major benefactors who have shaped UND through transformational gifts.
- UND Eats Food Directory Online food directory connecting alumni and visitors with local restaurants and food businesses in the UND community.
- Alumni Travel Program Curated travel experiences offered to UND alumni as an engagement and community-building offering.
- Event Support Services Event planning and support services for UND alumni gatherings, reunions, and donor recognition events.
- Donor Portal Online portal enabling donors to manage gifts, view giving history, update contact information, and access tax receipts.
- Donation Request Service Service enabling donors and supporters to request charitable giving information, initiate gifts, and connect with development staff.
Quantifiable outcome
- Forever UND campaign surpassed its $500 million initial goal ahead of schedule, with a new target of $625 million by end of 2026.
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- GoNextminorUND Alumni Association & Foundation partners with GoNext, a travel operator, to organize alumni group travel experiences. GoNext handles logistical details (flights, hotels, excursions), allowing UND alumni to travel together with like-minded peers while the association focuses on engagement and community-building.
- Altru Health SystemcoreAltru Health System is a primary sponsor of the Blue Zones Project Grand Forks initiative led by UND alumni Nicole Benson, Ashlee Kleveland, and Whitney Miller. Altru's Chief Philanthropy and Partnership Officer (Kristi Hall-Jiran, '90) chairs the BZPGF steering committee. Altru is actively working toward Blue Zones Project Approved worksite designation.
- North Dakota Department of Health and Human ServicescoreThe North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services is a sponsor of the Blue Zones Project Grand Forks, a three-year grant-funded initiative that aims to enhance well-being, reduce healthcare costs, and increase quality of life for Grand Forks residents.
- Blue Zones ProjectcoreBlue Zones Project Grand Forks is a community transformation initiative based on the Power 9 habits of the world's longest-living populations, as discovered by National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner. UND alumni lead the Grand Forks implementation, which is targeting citywide certification over a three-year period.
- Edson & Margaret Larson Foundation (EMLF)coreThe Edson & Margaret Larson Foundation (EMLF) is a committed supporter of higher education in North Dakota, providing funding opportunities to UND. UNDAAF facilitates all EMLF application and reporting processes, working closely with college deans and program directors to meet all foundation requirements.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- University of Michigan Alumni Association: Large, established public-flagship alumni association with a much broader portfolio (clubs, travel, learning, advocacy) and a multi-billion-dollar campaign — useful upper-bound benchmark for what a mature UNDAAF could evolve into.
Regional players
- Minnesota State University Moorhead Alumni Association: Smaller in-region public university alumni association co-located with UND in the Red River Valley — operates a similar alumni engagement and small-scale fundraising model at a smaller scale.
- Montana State University Alumni Association: Regional peer operating an alumni association + foundation model for a rural western public university with similar demographic donor-base challenges — directly comparable mission and scale.
- South Dakota State University Alumni Association: Adjacent-state public university alumni association with a similar donor pool profile and operating model, but serving a different geography — useful for benchmarking regional alumni engagement and retention practices.
Direct peers
- University of Nebraska Alumni Association: Regional Big Ten public university alumni association with comparable scholarship, travel, events, and giving programs — directly comparable structure and donor-base profile to UNDAAF.
- Iowa State University Alumni Association: Big 12 public land-grant peer with a dedicated alumni center, donor recognition circles, travel programs, and a major capital campaign — directly comparable structure and Midwestern donor base.
- University of Wisconsin–Madison Alumni Association: Flagship public research university alumni association operating donor societies, planned giving, travel, events, and large-scale fundraising — same model as UNDAAF at a larger scale.
- University of Minnesota Alumni Association: Flagship Big Ten peer running an alumni association + foundation with extensive donor recognition programs, college-based development, travel programs, and a major ongoing capital campaign — directly comparable operating model.
- NDSU Alumni Association & Foundation (North Dakota State University): The closest in-state peer — NDSUAAF serves North Dakota State University with the same dual alumni association + foundation model, similar donor recognition societies, and a comparable fundraising scale targeting a similar North Dakota donor pool.
Others
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE): Industry association supporting alumni relations, fundraising, and communications professionals at educational institutions — directly comparable peer because it benchmarks and defines the operating standards UNDAAF follows, and serves the same institutional advancement function.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation
What does University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation do?
The UND Alumni Association & Foundation engages University of North Dakota alumni and supporters through events, communications, and volunteer opportunities, while raising philanthropic funds for the university via annual giving, planned and legacy gifts, and major donor recognition programs. It is the official steward of alumni relations and charitable fundraising for UND, supporting students, faculty, programs, and capital needs through donor-funded initiatives.
Is University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation a public or private company?
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation founded?
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation was founded in 1889. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation based?
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation is headquartered in Grand Forks, United States, in the North America region.
How does University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations & Fundraising.
Who are University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation's main competitors?
University of Michigan Alumni Association is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Minnesota State University Moorhead Alumni Association, Montana State University Alumni Association and South Dakota State University Alumni Association. Direct peers are University of Nebraska Alumni Association, Iowa State University Alumni Association, University of Wisconsin–Madison Alumni Association, University of Minnesota Alumni Association and NDSU Alumni Association & Foundation (North Dakota State University). Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is listed as an others.
Does University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation.
What industry is University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation in?
University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation's product category is Higher Education Philanthropy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAOAA, Alumni Relations & Alumni Engagement Programs, with a secondary code of EDALAOAB, Fundraising & Annual Giving. Its NAICS code is 8139 and its SIC code is 8600.