A woman wearing graduation regalia smiles outside on campus.

"To create a bright future for all"

Student centered, transformational and responsive to the needs of students today, the Empowering Futures Gift creates pipelines for success and pathways to graduation, increases retention and improves student resilience.

First announced in June 2021, the transformative $550 million Empowering Futures Gift remains the largest gift for a public institution in U.S. history. Generous alumni donors gave this historic philanthropic contribution to the WMU Foundation to remove barriers that often keep underrepresented and underserved students from starting their collegiate journey or seeing it through to graduation.

Establishing the Empowering Futures Gift

The anonymous donors earmarked their record-breaking gift— which is forward thinking in design, scope and size—to WMU, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine and Bronco Athletics.

News about Empowering Futures

A professor works with a student in a greenhouse next to audio equipment.

WMU announces new class of Experience-Driven Learning Venture Grant recipients

Grant Overbeek and Maddy Boguslawski hold a page of a book near a press.

Broncos Lead interns learn the forgotten art of making books

Gracie and Kzoo LEADERs staff

Broncos Lead internship unlocks sport management student's potential

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Broncos Lead interns learn life skills in the legal field

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Product design major gets a broad range of internship experience through Broncos Lead Internship Program

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Alumni share their entrepreneurial spirit with Broncos Lead interns

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Broncos Lead interns grow job skills by helping kids grow in their love of nature

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Broncos Lead Internship Program makes impactful debut

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First crop of Broncos Lead interns grows interest in sustainable farming

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Broncos Lead intern pursues passion for early child development at preschool

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Music therapy student finds belonging through mental health advocacy

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Empowering Futures takes student support to new levels

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New Broncos Lead Internship Program will benefit students, Kalamazoo community

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First cohort finding success, belonging in new Bronco Connect Living Learning Community

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Empowering Futures already making impact on student success

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New Empowering Futures Community promotes exploration, campus engagement at Western