In 1976, a dedicated group of Western Michigan University alumni and friends foresaw the importance and necessity of private funding for public higher education—and the WMU Foundation was established.
The Foundation is an independent, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that operates to raise funds for Western Michigan University. It exists as an independent agency to offer greater flexibility in fund management by operating as a private, not-for-profit corporation. The WMU Foundation maintains private fund accounts from one fiscal year to the next, as well as keeping the confidentiality of donor information.
The WMU Foundation's EIN number is 38-2138856.
Mission
The mission of the WMU Foundation is to promote and provide donor investments to Western Michigan University. It accomplishes this mission by maintaining and enhancing an endowment fund, the income from which provides supplemental financial assistance for current University demands.
The WMU Foundation also fulfills its mission through:
- Cost-effective fund-raising programs, conducted by University Advancement, that seek participation from the WMU family
- Prudent and responsible administration of funds entrusted to it by its donors
- Effective distribution of its resources to areas of priority within WMU
The WMU Foundation is administered by the Executive Director/Secretary, who also serves as the Vice President for University Advancement, and a volunteer Board of Directors, who oversee how funds can best be used to address the most urgent campus priorities.
Board of Directors
Stephen K. Parker '79 '07, President, Executive Committee Chair
Larry Lueth '74, Director, Vice President
Patrick Allkins '75, Director
Robert M. Beam '65 '71, Director
James S. Brady '66, Director
Jeanne H. Carlson '68, Director, Capacity Building Committee Chair
Lynn Chen-Zhang '91, Director, Committee on Director Chair
Philip Chludzinski '80, Director, Finance Committee Chair
Rhonda Davenport-Johnson '84 '93, Director
Kristen R. DeVries, Secretary, Executive Director, Designated Director
Sandra L. (Sandi) Doctor '83, Director, Investment Committee Chair
L. Leonard Harrison '76 '86, Director
Jennifer L.B Lentner '96, Director
Michael W. Lewis '71, Director
Matthew D. Mace '98, Director
Kenneth V. Miller '67 '70, Director, Real Estate Committee Chair
Edward B. Montgomery, Designated Director
Bjorn Green, Director
Jonas Peterson, Director
Robert Tobey ’81, Director
Floyd L. Parks '55 '64, Director
John Shagonaby '97, Director
James K. Sholl '82, Director, Audit Committee Chair
Edd Snyder '70, Director
Dr. Paula Termuhlen, Director
Janice J. Van Der Kley, Treasurer, Designated Director
Christopher C. Womack '79, Director