Missed your chance to make an Axe of Kindness on Giving Day? You can still give on our main donation page.
Welcome to CEFNS Giving!

The College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS) is dedicated to exploration, understanding and preservation of our complex and interconnected natural world. Your gift supports hands-on research, field studies, and educational programs that prepare students to address scientific challenges and create sustainable solutions for future generations.  

This Giving Day, to support the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences, please consider making a gift to the highlighted areas below. Your generosity helps to engage, inspire, and transform students into scholars to advance the understanding and preservation of the world around us. 

Honor the lasting legacy of Dr. Paul Umhoefer, a dedicated geoscientist and mentor who inspired generations of students at NAU. The Paul Umhoefer Endowed Professorship seeks to attract distinguished scholars whose groundbreaking work in tectonics and sedimentary basins will shape the future of the discipline. Your gift ensures that Paul's passion for research and education continues to inspire students and faculty in the School of Earth and Sustainability for years to come. 

Lumberjack Math Center 

Empower students to succeed in mathematics by supporting the Lumberjack Math Center. This innovative resource center enhances learning through intentionally designed first-year courses that blend classroom instruction with personalized lab support. Contributions help provide essential tutoring and instructional resources for courses such as MAT 100, MAT 108, MAT 114, and MAT 125. Your generosity ensures students have the tools and guidance they need to excel in math and beyond. 

CEFNS Dean’s Innovation Fund

Fuel discovery and innovation by supporting the CEFNS Dean’s Innovation Fund. This fund is vital in advancing undergraduate research, providing resources for students, faculty support, and the overall operation of the undergraduate summer research program. Your contribution helps cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders, giving students the opportunity to engage in hands-on, impactful research experiences. 

CEFNS is a college of seven diverse departments, five centers/institutes, 4,415 students, 124 staff and 215 faculty.  Our programs span the range of microbiology to astronomy and material science to wildlife fire science and add remarkable value to the college. You can learn more about department specific funding priorities on the pages below.  

Thank you for supporting our team and the CEFNS mission, your generosity fuels innovation, access, and excellence at NAU. Every gift—no matter the size—helps create life-changing experiences for our students. Thank you for believing in the power of Lumberjack giving. 


2
Match
¡MIRA! – Materials Research & Diversity Center Match
Donate to any fund that supports ¡MIRA! and an anonymous donor will match up to $2,000 to support ¡MIRA! SPARQS. SPARQS - Sparking Curiosity in Quantum Science - brings the world of science to our communities’ front doors. They provide ‘hand’s on’ quantum science experiences to schools and communities, providing students with the opportunity to observe engaging demonstrations, perform experiments, learn about career opportunities in STEM, and most importantly – have fun with quantum science!
$2,000 MATCHED
Completed
$4,000
Grow Beyond the Classroom: School of Forestry Challenge
Thanks to generous donors – LIKE YOU – we have unlocked $4,000 for the School of Forestry. Thank you to Mike Wagner for providing this challenge for #NAUGivingDay!
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
$26,000
Patricia Hunter Last Mile Challenge
Thanks to Laurie Mittenthal and generous donors – LIKE YOU – we have unlocked $26,000 for the Patricia Hunter Last Mile Fund!
15 / 15 Gifts
Completed
$11,750
True Blue: NAU Alumni Association Board
Thanks to the generous support of Alumni Association Board Members and donors – LIKE YOU – we’ve unlocked $11,750 for various areas on campus. Thank you again to the following Board members: Blaise Caudill ’13; Dave Cook; Trina George, ’09; Alex Gutierrez, '85 '90; Jana Harper, ’90; Veronica Hipolito, '97, '02; Jim Jayne, ’91; "Kari" Kent, '91; Rick Koch, ’72; Mary O'Driscoll, ’82; Nancy Serenbetz, '75; Maggie Thom, ’12; , Wayne Watson, ’84; and (3) anonymous members.
Completed
$50,000
Lumberjack Achievement Challenge
Join us in the Lumberjack Impact Challenge! When 1,000 donors step up on Giving Day, Karen Larson and Gary Bicker will unlock $50,000 to empower academic excellence at NAU, specifically benefiting the Lumberjack Math Center and Stem Academic Momentum Scholarships. Your gift today makes a significant impact, helping every Lumberjack reach their fullest potential. Let's unite as Lumberjacks and elevate NAU together!
1,000 / 1,000 Donors
Completed
Leaderboard
Lumberjack Community Engagement Leaderboard
This leaderboard celebrates the invaluable support from our broader community, showcasing the number of donors based on their relationship to NAU. Together, we elevate engagement and build a stronger future for NAU, uniting donors, partners, and friends to advance educational opportunities and community impact.
Help us unlock matching challenges and increase the impact of your gift! What is your connection to NAU?
Rank Answer Gifts
1 Staff or Faculty 707
2 Alumni 603
3 Friend 373
4 Parent 183
5 Student 165
Ended
$1,000
Cultivate Knowledge and Discovery: Biological Sciences Challenge
Thanks to generous donors – LIKE YOU – we have unlocked $1,000 for biological sciences. Thank you to Rosevelt “Ted” Pardy for providing this challenge for #NAUGivingDay!
5 / 5 Gifts
Completed
$14,400
Elevate Hospitality: School of Hotel & Restaurant Management Challenge
Thanks to generous donors – LIKE YOU – we have unlocked $14,400 for the School of Hotel & Restaurant Management. Thank you to the HRM Advisory Board for providing this challenge for #NAUGivingDay!
Completed
$25,000
Lumberjack Pride: NAU Foundation Board Challenge
Thanks to the generous support of NAU Foundation Board Members and donors – LIKE YOU – we’ve unlocked $24,250 for various areas on campus. Thank you again to the following Board members: Lisa Bagwell; Eric Baker; Teresa Bartels; Bob Bement; Bob Braudy; Robin Braun; Booker Evans; Victoria Fimea; Bill Heibel; Mary Huntley; Tim Kinney; Any Peña; Rick Rodriguez; Katrina Rogers; Steve Sanghi; Tony Tewelis; and (1) anonymous member.
125 / 125 Gifts
Completed
$25,000
Lumberjack Community Impact Challenge
Your gift today can make a transformative impact on Lumberjack families! When 500 donors come together on NAU Giving Day, Kirsten and Steve Butzow will unlock a generous $25,000 gift to enhance NAU's FACTS (Family Access, Communication, Transition, and Support). Your contribution ensures that every Lumberjack family receives the essential support they need to thrive. Join Kirsten and Steve Butzow in empowering our Lumberjack community at NAU!
500 / 500 Donors
Completed
Leaderboard
Areas of Impact
This leaderboard reflects the transformative impact of your generosity, driving essential initiatives forward at NAU. Your contributions to these funds directly support groundbreaking research, student scholarships, and innovative programs that shape the future of our university.
Rank Department Raised
1 Elevate the College of Education $71,380.00
2 NAU Football $45,114.00
3 Elevate the W.A. Franke College of Business $15,665.00
4 Elevate Student Success in CAL $14,524.27
5 Swim & Dive $12,840.00
Ended
Leaderboard
Lumberjack Class Spirit Leaderboard
Join your fellow Lumberjacks from every decade as they rally their classmates to support NAU! Check back to see which decade is leading the charge in philanthropy, celebrating the most generous alumni who are making a difference across the years.
Alumni, rally your classmates!
Rank Answer Donors
1 2000s 58
2 2010s 54
3 1990s 53
4 1980s 42
5 2020s 41
6 1970s 27
7 1960s 2
8 1950s & Earlier 1
Ended
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Or you can contact us at givingday@nau.edu.