Missed your chance to make an Axe of Kindness on Giving Day? You can still give on our main donation page.
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

A community of change-makers at Northern Arizona University

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) includes diverse academic programs living under our umbrella, each threaded together by a shared mission. This unique configuration of programs supports innovative, boundary crossing research and provides distinctive experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. 

Mission
We collaborate in inquiry and practice to in order to promote justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, and human and community well-being as we build a shared sense of belonging. With student success as our central focus, our work produces critical insights about human societies, behavior, and communication that inform innovative approaches to solve and increase awareness about significant regional and global challenges.

Vision
SBS aspires to be a community of change-makers while supporting the strengths of students, staff, and faculty and collaborating with communities through innovative teaching, scholarships, creative work, public engagement, and practice to further justice, diversity, inclusion, equity, sustainability, and human and community well-being.

NAU Giving Day is a great day to support the next generation of innovators! Looking for a way to make an impact? Here are some great options:  

  • SBS Future Readiness Fund -This fund will support SBS student career and future readiness activities such as career development programs, internships, travel, and any other support needed to assist with the future readiness of SBS students.


  • SBS Deans Innovation Fund - This flexible fund helps SBS take advantage of unexpected opportunities throughout the academic year.  This fund supports activities and events for students and faculty as well as the diverse needs of the college.

  • Friends of SBS Faculty Fund - Exceptional faculty are at the center of SBS’s education mission. When you donate to this fund you will assist SBS faculty with travel costs, research expenses, and other support.   
$60,000
#AxeofKindness Legacy Challenge
Swing your #AxeofKindness on NAU Giving Day! Thanks to the generous support of six alumni families, your contribution can unlock $60,000 to assist students with essential needs through Louie Vouchers, Lumberjack Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF), Louie’s Cupboard, and Blavin Scholars Programmatic Fund and First Scholars. Donating ensures that NAU students receive vital support during challenging times, covering areas such as food insecurity, financial assistance, and wellness resources, carrying on the Lumberjack legacy. Your generosity directly impacts programs providing a safe space and access to essential services. Join the Axe of Kindness Challenge today and make a difference in the lives of NAU students! WE Are Lumberjacks!
Completed
$131,167
Office of Native American Initiatives Challenge
In a spirit of shared commitment to the empowerment and advancement of Native American communities, Amy Peterson will donate $75,000 to The Barbara Madden Peterson Endowment, Lynn Pinto will donate $37,000 to various ONAI initiatives, Bill Auberle will donate $2,500 to the Virgil Masayesva Education Fund - ITEP, and Penny Emerson will donate $16,667 also to various ONAI initiatives, including the Empower program and student success while serving Native communities with the NAU Office of Native American Initiatives (ONAI)! Your donation, along with those from Amy Peterson, Lynn Pinto, Bill Auberle, Penny Emerson, and others, to any ONAI fund directly supports initiatives enhancing program quality, student outcomes, and fostering stronger connections with Native communities. With 75 gifts, we unlock a total of $131,167 in crucial resources to drive these impactful endeavors, advancing NAU's goal to become the leading university serving Native Americans. WE Are Lumberjacks
75 / 75 Gifts
Completed
$52,000
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Maximize your impact on the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and unlock an additional $52,000 in funding for the college. By donating to any fund within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, you can contribute to our goal of reaching 50 gifts. Once this goal is achieved, generous donors will pledge $52,00 to support the future of NAU. Every gift counts—join us in making a difference! #WeAreLumberjacks
50 / 50 Gifts
Completed
$29,100
The Bob Crozier NAU Foundation Board Challenge
We did it, Lumberjack Country! Thanks to your collective generosity, the NAU Foundation Board has committed support to the following areas: Charles R. and Teresa Bartels Scholarship, Lisa Bagwell Engineering Scholarship, Electrical Engineering Experiential Learning Award, Skyjacks, Student groups and Organizations General Fund, Theodore Johnson Lecture Series, Admiral Braun Leadership Endowment, Lumberjack Emergency Assistance Fund, The Fimea Family Endowment for Excellence in Communication, and The Lillian Jane Baker Teacher Education Fund, and Tony Tewelis.
Completed
$8,875
True Blue Alumni Challenge sponsored by the NAU Alumni Association Board
Help us start off the day with our first milestone and show the Lumberjack community we are True Blue! When we reach 403 alumni gifts on #NAUGivingDay the following current and former members of the board will release a collective $8,875 in gifts: Blaise Caudill ’13; Kedren Dillard, ’00; Trina George, ’09; Carmelle Malkovich, ’03; Jana Harper, ’90; Melvin Hunter, ’10; Jim Jayne, ’91; Joe Mead, ’83; Maggie Thom, ’12; , Wayne Watson, ’84; Rick Koch, ’72; Janet Sweigart, ’83; Mary O'Driscoll, ’82; Marquitta Rippy, ’15; Eduardo Moreno, '21; Brandon Rivera, '14; Alex Gutierrez, '85 '90; Eduardo "Eddie" Moreno, '21; Nancy Serenbetz, '75; Kari" Kent, '91; and Veronica Hipolito, '97, '02 . WE Are Lumberjacks!
403 / 403 Gifts
Completed
$6,750
NAU Leadership Challenge
Join our NAU campus leaders: Karen Pugliesi, John Georgas, Josh Mackey, Anika Olsen, Ann Marie deWees, Harlan Teller, and Rensu Yang on #NAUGivingDay 2024! Help us reach 1,000 gifts overall and unlock impactful support. Once we hit our goal, these university leaders will release their gifts totaling $5,250. Let's unite as Jacks and make a difference together! WE Are Lumberjacks
1,000 / 1,000 Gifts
Completed
$1,001
Route 66 Challenge Sponsored by Mother Road Brewing Co.
Join the Route 66 Challenge Sponsored by Mother Road Brewing Co.! Between 5-7pm MST, we aim to receive 66 gifts. Once we reach this milestone, Mother Road Brewing Co will generously donate $1001 to the NAU Society of Automotive Engineers student club. Your contribution during this timeframe can make a significant impact on our students' experiences and opportunities. Let's rev up our support and drive towards success together!
66 / 66 Gifts
Completed
Leaderboard
Support what you love - top supported funds
Lumberjack country is supporting their favorite funds. Tracking here are the top supported funds by gift.
Rank Areas of Support Gifts
1 Essential Needs Impact Fund 112
2 Early Childhood Education Center 66
3 Women's Swim & Dive 60
4 Wellness Impact Fund 44
5 Education Opportunities Impact Fund 39
Ended
$603
The Staff Advisory Council's Lumberjack Community of Care Challenge
Join The SAC (Staff Advisory Council) Challenge by making a gift to any fund on Giving Day and SAC leadership will donate $603 to the Employee Lumberjack Fund (ELF). For over 25 years, ELF has provided over $50,000 in aid to NAU employees during times of hardship. Your donation, no matter the amount, directly supports NAU staff facing emergencies, demonstrating our Lumberjack community's commitment to care and unity. Let's stand together and make a difference in the lives of our fellow Lumberjacks.
750 / 750 Gifts
Completed
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Or you can contact us at givingday@nau.edu.