Bowie State University (BSU), the first of Maryland’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), has announced that it met its $50 million campaign goal more than two years ahead of schedule.

Scheduled to close at the end of 2025, BSU Bold: The Campaign for Excellence, the largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history, sought gifts for a variety of purposes, including the university’s endowment, which has increased by more than 500 percent—from $7 million to $40 million. Major campaign contributors include Adobe, Baltimore Gas and Electric, and Truist Bank; the Blackstone Charitable, Kevin Durant Charity, Maguire, and Strada Education foundations; and Giving Pledge signatory MacKenzie Scott.

“Given the urgency of the moment, the Campaign for Excellence will not only continue, but we are accelerating into an expanded goal, a larger scope, and frankly, higher expectations commensurate with Bowie State’s increased prominence and visibility,” said BSU vice president for institutional advancement Brent Swinton. “Besides scholarships and academic programs, the expanded campaign will also highlight BSU’s athletic programs (which do not receive any state funding), fine arts, nursing, and the university’s entrepreneurship education ecosystem.”

“We have not wasted a moment asking our philanthropic partners to invest in the success of our students through this campaign,” said BSU president Aminta Breaux. “We are appreciative of all the individuals and organizations who have invested in our historic institution. Now we’re able to provide more of our students with scholarships....We must continue and work to help make college more affordable and reduce student loan debt.”

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