Program areas at Towson University Foundation
Scholarships and awards - Towson University Foundation is committed to providing students with the opportunity to obtain a liberal education - an education that helps students develop the ability to think critically; to be literate, informed and articulate; to honor diversity; to discuss and debate ideas and issues from multiple perspectives, and to be capable of taking on responsibility in an ever-changing world. To create those opportunities, many students need and deserve financial assistance. As of june 30, 2023, Towson University Foundation had 352 endowed scholarships and presents additional cash awards each year to deserving students from existing operating funds. Since state of Maryland funding now accounts for less than 1/3 of the cost of a Towson University education, private funding from generous donors allows today's students and tomorrow's leaders to meet their financial obligations. In the fiscal year ending june 30, 2023, the Foundation made 1,262 separate scholarship awards to deserving students totaling $2,538,694.additionally, 61 students received a total of $35,920 in student emergency awards, with individual awards ranging from $70 - $1,000.
Athletic programs - the Foundation solicits and manages funds in support of the University's aligned vision for athletics, which states "Towson University is committed to a financially stable, gender-equitable and competitive athletics program. The University will continue to support these goals by placing academics first. We will support opportunities for all Towson students to participate in a range of sports activities and leadership opportunities that support physical well-being and personal excellence." The University currently fields 19 division i athletic teams (13 in women's sports, 6 in men's sports).
University support - to create an environment that is conducive to learning, institutions of higher learning must have proper facilities and faculty dedicated to teaching. Funds are made available for use by the University president, the vice presidents and the deans of the seven colleges to support areas where improvements are needed. We remain committed to our goal of helping the University attract, hire and retain faculty members who are leaders in their field of study, and who have demonstrated superior teaching skills. To keep them current on new developments in their field and teaching methods, they are encouraged to perform research and to attend seminars and conferences. In addition to funding provided by donors, the Foundation also makes funds available to the University through the unrestricted budget process that helped to support the various presidential initiatives. These are initiatives that might otherwise not move forward due to the lack of other funding sources.
The $3,002,948 of other program service expenses relate to expenses that support the variety of programs offered by Towson University for the benefit of the students, faculty and staff of the University. All expenses support the core mission of the Foundation and therefore that of the University as well. The Foundation exists to support the University through these expenditures.