Sanford donates $30M to scholarships at 12 schools

Jan. 29, 2018

Philanthropist Denny Sanford has donated $30 million to support students attending 12 universities over the next decade.

It’s the largest gift ever to the nonprofit Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Inc., which was founded in 1947.

The scholarship program will provide $3 million annually for the next decade to Horatio Alger Scholars, to be used at 12 schools chosen by Sanford, including seven in South Dakota:

  • University of South Dakota, $250,000 a year.
  • South Dakota State University, $250,000 a year.
  • Augustana University, $150,000 a year.
  • University of Sioux Falls, $150,000 a year.
  • Dakota State University, $150,000 a year.
  • South Dakota School of Mines, $150,000 a year.
  • Black Hills State University, $150,000 a year.

Additional universities receiving support from the Horatio Alger-Denny Sanford Scholarship Program are:

  • University of Minnesota,  $250,000 a year.
  • University of California San Diego, $250,000 a year.
  • National University, $250,000 a year.
  • Long Island University, $250,000 a year.
  • Arizona State University, $250,000 a year.

“I have always measured success by how much I can do for others to improve their lives,” Sanford said in a statement.

“The mission of Horatio Alger Association is rooted in that philosophy, and I am proud to support our scholars in this important way. I have been lucky to have been profoundly affected by exceptional, forward-thinking universities – in South Dakota and across the United States – and I wanted to pay tribute to their good work through this new association scholarship fund. I have every confidence that the Horatio Alger Scholars who choose to attend any of these 12 universities will have their lives transformed for the better.”

The program will start in the 2019-20 school year.

“Denny Sanford reflects the abiding power of the American Dream,” said Terrence Giroux, executive director of the Horatio Alger Association. “He has long spoken of the importance of sustaining this dream for future generations, and with this gift, he helps the association to do exactly that. The impact that this will have on deserving students, especially those who might choose to attend one of seven universities in South Dakota, cannot be overstated. We thank Denny for his generous commitment and for connecting the association to these outstanding collegiate partners.”

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Sanford donates $30M to scholarships at 12 schools

Philanthropist Denny Sanford has donated $30 million to support students attending 12 universities over the next decade.

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