Annual Giving

The total cost to provide students with a quality SU education far surpasses the amount students pay in tuition and the allocation granted to the University from the state of Louisiana. Annual fund contributions will allow the University to upgrade facilities, improve campuses’ infrastructures, provide much needed scholarship dollars, allow technology upgrades such as computer labs and instructional equipment, and allow the University to acquire the best minds in K-12 and higher education to mold students into future leaders in their respective fields.

Southern University has a distinct nurturing learning environment. SU not only participates in the education of its students, but in the overall personal development and maturity of each and every student. Southern University prides itself in making a quality educational experience affordable and accessible, overcoming social and economic restraints. Annual Fund contributions will only enhance these opportunities by increasing student access to: financial assistance for tuition and books; state-of-the-art technology and software; well maintained facilities conducive to learning; and enhancing academic programming across the Southern University System so that upon graduation, students are equipped with the professional knowledge and practical application necessary to succeed in any professional arena. 

Every year faculty and staff must compete against each other for limited research and discretionary funds. Our faculty and staff, being highly respected in their areas of study and instruction, are invited to present scholarly work and to participate in national and international conferences throughout the academic year. Allowing faculty to participate in these types of activities raises the visibility of the University and adds to the credibility of our academic programming. Annual fund contributions will support faculty research stipends, travel to scholarly events and activities, upgraded classroom and laboratory equipment, and more.

Contributions to the annual fund will allow Southern University to make improvements in classroom instruction, research, public service, buildings and grounds, student access to technology, and more all to increase the University’s production of competent, well prepared graduates who stand out among those from other universities. As our graduates receive the best academic and professional training, this country will benefit from the services of better teachers, social workers, architects, journalists, business professionals, scientists, doctors, lawyers, nurses, engineers, and more. As the visibility and level of prominence of Southern University increases, so does the value of the Southern University degree.  

Alumni and supporters can designate unrestricted gifts to the campus and academic/auxiliary programming of choice (this includes athletics and the marching band). The annual fund will provide immediate support for the University component most compelling to you at your discretion. Once your gift is made and designated to a specific area or left unrestricted to the annual fund general pool, the chancellor, dean, and/or department head will use your gift to address immediate needs.  

Effective this year, gifts to the Foundation made in the form of pledges will be made through the annual fund. Pledges will no longer be accepted at the Radiothon, cash gifts (including checks and credit cards) paid in full prior to the Radiothon or the day of the Radiothon will be counted as support generated by the Radiothon. The Radiothon is now a special event/appeal of the SU System Annual Fund.