CANR donors drive record-breaking year

Alex Dardas<dardasal@msu.edu> - August 28, 2026

Contributions from across the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources community raised over $66.5 million, the largest fundraising total on record for the college.

Every gift tells a story. Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, 4,530 donors to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) collectively raised $66,547,913 for causes across the college, MSU Extension and MSU AgBioResearch. This marks the largest fundraising total in the history of CANR.

Gifts were received from donors in Michigan, across the country and around the world, reflecting the diversity and passion of the CANR community. Among the 4,530 donors include alumni, corporate partners, foundations, faculty, staff, CANR retirees, parents, current students and stakeholders.

These contributions support MSU's $4 billion Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign, which has collectively raised $1.94 billion to date. Of that total, CANR has raised $194,176,434 toward its $300 million campaign goal, helping the college activate talent, fuel collaborative partnerships across Michigan and build the infrastructure of the future.

“There are many ways to make a difference, so it’s deeply humbling that so many chose to invest in the future of this college,” said Matt Daum, CANR Dean and Associate Provost. “Our donors make possible all that we achieve together, enriching student experiences, shaping careers and fueling discoveries that build a far better world. I am deeply grateful for the generosity of the CANR community and for everyone who helped make this historic year possible."

In April 2026, CANR announced a $47 million commitment from alumnus Charles (Chuck) Frasier and his wife, Jacqueline (Jackie), in support of Packaging 2.0, a transformative expansion project at the top-ranked MSU School of Packaging that will nearly double the size of the school's existing facility. The Frasiers' gift, the largest in CANR history, helped launch the Packaging 2.0 project and establish an endowed directorship to support the school's future leadership.

Read more about some of the donors and partnerships that fueled this record-setting year:

866 donors made their first ever gift to CANR this year. On March 10, 2026, nearly 400 donors supported CANR on Give Green Day, MSU’s annual day of giving. Collectively, the college raised nearly $48,000 supporting causes such as the CANR Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, the 4-H Learning Experience Sponsorship Fund and much more.

Donations supported funds across CANR’s 12 academic units, strengthening student scholarships, experiential learning opportunities, academic programs and faculty research initiatives. Contributions also benefited several key CANR infrastructure projects, including the new Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center, renovations to the Plant Science Greenhouses, Packaging 2.0 and the future Michigan Farm Bureau Pavilion expansion.

“The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is a special place, and our donors are a reflection of that,” said Brittany Lawrence, CANR senior director of Development. “As leader of our Development and Alumni Relations team, I am proud of the work we do every day to connect passionate alumni, friends, corporate partners and foundations with opportunities to make a lasting difference. Your generosity strengthens CANR today and helps ensure its impact for generations to come."

If you are interested in learning more about how you can make an impact at CANR, contact members of the Development and Alumni Relations team.