The Iowa State University Foundation was established in 1958 to accept and administer major gifts given to the University by individuals and organizations; in 2001, it became a private organization. This collection (1961-[ongoing]) consists of news clippings, brochures, correspondence, newsletters, and reports regarding the foundation's various fundraising campaigns.

The Iowa State University Foundation was established in 1958 to accept and administer major gifts given to the University by individuals and organizations. Its main function is to aid Iowa State University in areas where funds are not available. The Foundation's Board of Directors and the Board of Governors make decisions regarding the Foundation’s policies and its funds’ expenditures.

The Foundation's first major fundraising campaign raised $27 million for the Iowa State Center. Other campaigns included Excellence for the Eighties, Partnership for Prominence, President's Scholarship Campaign, and Campaign Destiny: To Become the Best. The raised monies finance campus programs, research, facilities, and equipment. Donations have also been used to fund scholarships and endowed positions university-wide and within individual departments.

The Iowa State University Foundation merged with the Alumni Achievement Fund in January 1980, to consolidate the University’s fundraising activities. The Alumni Achievement Fund was established in 1932 when the Alumni Association at Iowa State was reincorporated. The Fund provided an avenue for alumni and friends of the University to support scholarships and a wide variety of projects through tax-deductible gifts to the University. In 1951, the Fund conducted its first annual campaign.

In 2001, the Iowa State University Foundation became a private organization. The privatization resulted in the removal of Iowa State University administrators from its Board of Directors and the withdrawal of financial support from the University.

The collection (1961-[ongoing]) contains news clippings, brochures, correspondence, newsletters, and reports created for or in regards to the various fundraising campaigns of the Iowa State University Foundation.

The collection is arranged chronologically by fundraising effort and alphabetically within each campaign.