First Scholars Office FundISU

Thank You for Building Opportunity

Your generosity is creating pathways to success.

Because of you, first-generation and income-eligible students at Iowa State University can navigate their college journey with greater confidence, stability, and support. From overcoming unexpected financial challenges to accessing academic resources, mentorship, and transformative experiences, your support meets students where they are and helps them keep moving forward.

Your gift strengthens a network of care that surrounds students throughout their time at Iowa State. It provides emergency assistance in moments of need, funds essential course materials, opens doors to internships and global experiences, and fosters connection through mentorship and community-building programs.

Because of you, students are not only able to persist. They are able to thrive.

When they reach the finish line, your generosity ensures they can fully celebrate that achievement. Graduation becomes more than a milestone. It becomes a moment of pride, belonging, and possibility for students and their families.

Your support reflects a deep belief in the potential of every Cyclone and a commitment to removing barriers to success.

With gratitude,
The First Scholars Office
Iowa State University

FAQ

What is FundISU? FundISU is a crowdfunding tool that enables alumni, parents and friends to help students and faculty fund their passion projects and make a difference at Iowa State University.

Is my donation tax deductible? Yes. You will receive a receipt for your donation from the ISU Foundation. If you select a contribution level that has a thank-you gift, the cash value of the gift will be deducted from the total amount of the contribution.

When will my credit card be charged and is the site secure? Your credit card will be charged immediately. This site uses industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) servers on our transaction pages. It encrypts all of your personal information including name, address, and credit card number to prevent unauthorized access as the information travels over the Internet.

Where is my donation going? Your donation will be processed by the ISU Foundation and sent directly to the project, minus a processing fee (never exceeding 5%) assessed to recover the cost of hosting the FundISU site.

What if a project doesn’t meet its funding goal? If the campaign falls short of its funding goal, the funds raised will still be released to the project sponsor. In the event that a project cannot be undertaken because of the shortfall, the money raised will be retained by the sponsoring college or unit for use on a project with similar goals.

What happens if a project is overfunded? If a campaign raises more than its stated funding goal, the ISU Foundation will work with the project sponsor to determine whether the surplus should be used to expand or enhance the project, or reserved for use by similar projects in the future.

Who can I contact with additional questions? Call Kristin Erdman at the ISU Foundation at 515-297-8616 or email fundisu@foundation.iastate.edu.