Trojans Give Back campaign raises $261,508 for Dakota State University
November 10, 2026
MADISON, S.D. — Dakota State University's Trojans Give Back fundraising campaign concluded with an impressive $261,508 in donations, surpassing last year's total by $39,308, a 17.7% increase.
The campaign, held in conjunction with the university's annual Trojan Days Homecoming celebration in October, received 1,918 online gifts from alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and Dakota State supporters in 43 states across the country.
The final total exceeded the campaign's initial fundraising goal of $225,000 and demonstrated the continued generosity of Trojan Nation.
Funds raised through Trojans Give Back support student scholarships and other university initiatives, including Champion Scholarships, which help remove financial barriers and create educational opportunities for DSU students.
“The response from Trojan Nation during this year's Trojans Give Back has been nothing short of incredible,” said DSU Assistant Director of Annual Giving & Communications Dalton Kleinschmidt. “This campaign is about much more than dollars raised. It's about answering the call to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and creating opportunities for generations of Trojans to come.”
The fundraising campaign complemented the university's annual community service initiative, which brought together 946 volunteers who contributed 2,443 hours of service across 48 projects. An additional highlight was the participation of 82 online students who completed volunteer projects in their own communities.
Together, the fundraising and volunteer efforts reflected Dakota State's commitment to service, community engagement, and creating opportunities for future generations of Trojans.
“The momentum we've seen is a testament to the strength of the Trojan community and what we can accomplish when we come together for a common purpose,” Kleinschmidt said.