However, some of the loss was offset by the financial support from MSU faculty, staff and retirees, who donated over $21 million dollars to the university.

MSU Executive Director of Advancement Marketing & Communications Bob Thomas said that he is always proud of MSU’s history of faculty, staff, and retirees financially supporting the institution.

“We’ve always ranked at the top of the Big Ten or near the top of the Big Ten in how much faculty and staff give back ... which I think goes to say a lot about how our employees at MSU feel about this place and how passionate they are about this place,” Thomas said.

MSU Vice President of University Advancement Marti Heil said that although everyone is working hard to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and to support students, they were still able to give significant financial support.

“In a time when faculty and staff have been so dedicated and everything has changed, they have stepped up even greater to give this kind of philanthropic support to the institution that they work for,” Heil said.

Every year MSU donors designate money to support faculty positions, student scholarships, research support and programs.

In total this year, the university received $232 million dollars from over 70,000 donors.

“The $232 million is an increase over last year of about 25 percent, which again speaks very highly for our donors' dedication and passion for Michigan State, especially during a pandemic, to be giving that kind of financial support to MSU,” Heil said. “MSU is very grateful for the support of those 70,000+ donors who gave their hard-earned money to support MSU’s future.”