NDSU’s Athletics, Foundation and Team Makers Announce Integrated Partnership to Enhance Donor Experience
6/29/2026 2:38:00 PM | General, Team Makers
FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State University Athletics, NDSU Foundation and NDSU Team Makers have entered into a partnership agreement designed to strengthen philanthropic support for Bison Athletics and NDSU through a more unified and donor-centered approach to engagement, fundraising and stewardship.
For decades, the Foundation and Team Makers, as separate, 501(c3) affiliated organizations to NDSU, have worked alongside each other to support fan and donor engagement and provide financial resources to Bison Athletics.
Effective July 1, 2026, the partnership will enhance collaboration among the organizations to create a more seamless experience for donors, alumni, fans and friends who support the university and its student-athletes.
"This agreement reflects a shared commitment to serving all of our benefactors well and maximizing philanthropic support for NDSU," said John Glover, President/CEO of the Foundation. "By working together intentionally and strategically, we create a more coordinated and consistent donor experience for all areas of campus."
"Our donors care deeply about NDSU and Bison Athletics," said Mark Sellin, President of Team Makers. "This partnership honors that commitment by making it easier to engage, give and see the impact of philanthropy on student-athletes, programs and the university community."
"We have a vision for One NDSU, and this partnership helps bring that to life by showing up in a more coordinated and connected way for the people who invest in this university," said NDSU President Marshall Stewart. "Bringing the Foundation, Athletics, and Team Makers together allows us to strengthen relationships and generate the philanthropic support that benefits student-athletes, while also supporting the broader university mission and student body through a unified approach to philanthropy."
For donors, the partnership is intended to create a more seamless giving experience. Donors can expect more coordinated outreach, clearer information about where and how to make gifts, enhanced stewardship and recognition, and continued confidence that their support is being aligned with university and athletics priorities.
The agreement also strengthens internal coordination among development officers and staff, helping ensure donor conversations are timely, informed and connected to the full range of opportunities across NDSU Athletics and the university.
Team members from the respective organizations will communicate with benefactors to help explain the changes, how gift and financial support will work, and what it means for the donor and fan experience moving forward.
Key agreement terms:
Media contacts:
Kira Sornsin, Director of Marketing and Communications, NDSU Foundation
Ryan Perreault, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications, NDSU Athletics
Brynn Rawlings, Interim Vice President of Marketing and Communications, NDSU
About the NDSU Foundation: The NDSU Foundation builds enduring relationships and inspires philanthropy to support North Dakota State University, its students, faculty, programs and priorities.
About NDSU Team Makers: NDSU Team Makers supports Bison Athletics by engaging fans, alumni and friends in philanthropic support for student-athletes and athletic programs.
For decades, the Foundation and Team Makers, as separate, 501(c3) affiliated organizations to NDSU, have worked alongside each other to support fan and donor engagement and provide financial resources to Bison Athletics.
Effective July 1, 2026, the partnership will enhance collaboration among the organizations to create a more seamless experience for donors, alumni, fans and friends who support the university and its student-athletes.
"This agreement reflects a shared commitment to serving all of our benefactors well and maximizing philanthropic support for NDSU," said John Glover, President/CEO of the Foundation. "By working together intentionally and strategically, we create a more coordinated and consistent donor experience for all areas of campus."
"Our donors care deeply about NDSU and Bison Athletics," said Mark Sellin, President of Team Makers. "This partnership honors that commitment by making it easier to engage, give and see the impact of philanthropy on student-athletes, programs and the university community."
"We have a vision for One NDSU, and this partnership helps bring that to life by showing up in a more coordinated and connected way for the people who invest in this university," said NDSU President Marshall Stewart. "Bringing the Foundation, Athletics, and Team Makers together allows us to strengthen relationships and generate the philanthropic support that benefits student-athletes, while also supporting the broader university mission and student body through a unified approach to philanthropy."
For donors, the partnership is intended to create a more seamless giving experience. Donors can expect more coordinated outreach, clearer information about where and how to make gifts, enhanced stewardship and recognition, and continued confidence that their support is being aligned with university and athletics priorities.
The agreement also strengthens internal coordination among development officers and staff, helping ensure donor conversations are timely, informed and connected to the full range of opportunities across NDSU Athletics and the university.
Team members from the respective organizations will communicate with benefactors to help explain the changes, how gift and financial support will work, and what it means for the donor and fan experience moving forward.
Key agreement terms:
- A unified donor engagement strategy: The Foundation, Athletics and Team Makers will coordinate fundraising priorities, donor visits, asks and stewardship to present a consistent institutional voice and create clearer giving pathways.
- A single system of records for charitable giving: The Foundation database will serve as the primary record for charitable giving to NDSU and affiliated organizations, including financial transactions and customer relationship management contacts.
- Clear giving pathways: Team Makers will continue to receive and receipt annual membership dues, tickets, certain annual giving campaigns, charitable gaming, the Team Makers General Endowment and planned gifts specifically designated to Team Makers. The Foundation will process and receipt all charitable gifts, including major and leadership gifts, expendable gift support for operations and sports, named endowments, capital project gifts, Green and Gold Fund gifts (Name, Image, Likeness), sport-specific gifts and planned gifts designated for Athletics.
- Expanded fundraising support for Athletics: The Foundation will provide campaign strategy, major and leadership gift support, direct financial resources and collaboration with Athletics and Team Makers to strengthen philanthropic giving for Bison Athletics.
- Coordinated events and fan engagement: The respective organizations will collaborate on donor and fan gatherings, including away football game events in fall 2026 and 2027 associated with Bison football's new schedule in the Mountain West Conference.
- Aligned recognition: Donations to the Foundation will count toward Team Makers points consistent with established policies, and Team Makers giving will be included in Foundation giving recognition societies.
Media contacts:
Kira Sornsin, Director of Marketing and Communications, NDSU Foundation
Ryan Perreault, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications, NDSU Athletics
Brynn Rawlings, Interim Vice President of Marketing and Communications, NDSU
About the NDSU Foundation: The NDSU Foundation builds enduring relationships and inspires philanthropy to support North Dakota State University, its students, faculty, programs and priorities.
About NDSU Team Makers: NDSU Team Makers supports Bison Athletics by engaging fans, alumni and friends in philanthropic support for student-athletes and athletic programs.
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