In a historic gift, Dan and Pamella DeVos have pledged $20 million through their foundation to support Northwood University over the next five years.
“This gift is the largest in Northwood University history,” stated Northwood President Kent MacDonald. “We are so grateful to Dan and Pamella DeVos for their loyal support of Northwood University. As America’s Free Enterprise University, Northwood shares many of the same values exemplified by the DeVos family, including an unapologetic stance favoring freedom, personal responsibility, free enterprise, and entrepreneurship.”
“Northwood University holds a special place in our hearts, and Pamella and I are dedicated to supporting education that nurtures innovation and leadership,” said Dan DeVos. “Northwood embodies these principles, and we take pride in contributing to its future. Our vision is for Northwood to keep shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.”
A portion of the gift will support the creation of a Strategic Accelerator Fund to help Northwood in its enrollment growth objectives, including recruitment and retention. It will fund innovative approaches to academic programs, varsity sports and clubs, student life, marketing, infrastructure, and more.
“It has been said, ‘everything starts with an idea.’ At Northwood, we embrace an idea that is the namesake for our distinct philosophy, The Northwood Idea, which values freedom, personal responsibility, and free enterprise,” MacDonald stated. “Now, thanks to the generosity of Dan and Pamella DeVos, our university community can focus on new transformative programs and projects that will accelerate and grow our net enrollment.”
Another exciting component of this gift is the creation of a venture fund that will help advance business ideas from students, faculty, and staff.
Northwood attracts many students who are already guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, while other students discover their interest in business creation early on at Northwood.
“The proposed Northwood University Venture Fund can be the vehicle that helps attract an increased number of students to attend Northwood and provide hands-on experiences, developing skills and knowledge toward entrepreneurial pursuits,” stated Vice President of Advancement Murray Kyte. “It will inspire students to develop a new business and access startup funding.”
“At Northwood University, providing experiential learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom is central to preparing students for success in business and in life. This historic gift significantly enhances those opportunities by creating a pathway for our students to engage in entrepreneurship and gain real-world business experience while still completing their studies,” said Provost and Academic Vice President Kristin Stehouwer.
The support from Dan and Pamella will also provide scholarships for future Northwood University students through the university’s newly created Liberty Fund.
“Scholarships have the power to change lives by providing access to education for talented students who might otherwise face barriers,” said Pamella DeVos. “The Liberty Fund will open doors for future entrepreneurs, empowering students to pursue their dreams.”
“Endowed student scholarships are an investment not only in students but in freedom and free enterprise for America and the world,” Kyte stated. “They create opportunities for students to attend Northwood University based on interest and not income, removing barriers to accessing quality education. Northwood University’s proposed Liberty Fund will be established to receive unrestricted gifts for endowed student scholarships.”
“This extraordinary gift from Dan and Pamella DeVos provides vital resources to accelerate our mission and expands how we can serve our students, faculty, and the greater community,” added Chief Development and Engagement Officer Justin Marshall. “We are deeply grateful for their enduring belief in Northwood and their investment in our future as America’s Free Enterprise University.”
The historic gift was announced during the President’s Freedom Celebration on June 12, 2025, at Northwood University, where leaders announced the public phase of the When We Are Free campaign, which aims to raise $100 million for infrastructure development, academic programs, research funding, scholarships and financial aid, endowment growth, and community and alumni engagement.
For more information, visit https://campaign.northwood.edu.
