Official web site of the Bulldog Foundation

When it comes to using volunteers to raise donations, no other collegiate athletics support group in America can make the claim of the Bulldog Foundation, which has ranked No. 1 in the nation in that department since 1986.

Since 1971, Bulldog Foundation members have raised nearly $46.5 million for scholarships, recruiting needs and special requests by the athletics department. In addition, BDF members have purchased an additional $30.7 million in season tickets, and have been the core group in providing another $22.5 million for athletic facility improvements.

The Bulldog Foundation was created in 1933 to help Fresno State and its vital resource of youth become future leaders in family, community, business, government, arts, education and athletics. From 1933 to 1949, the support group was known as the “600 Club.” In 1950 the decision was made to incorporate as a non-profit fund raising organization, and the name chosen was “Bulldog Foundation.”

In 1972, the decision was made to hire the first full-time permanent staff to organize the annual, five-week spring fund drive. Another major change was to offer ticket benefits as part of membership levels. Memberships grew from 843 in 1972 to nearly 6,000 currently. The number of Bulldog men and women scholar-athletes receiving some portion of scholarship aid is now more than 450. The Bulldog Foundation provides over 40 percent of the university’s annual athletics department income, covering 100 percent of scholarship and recruiting requests for all Bulldog teams.

But, it is not just dollars donated that make the Bulldog Foundation unique and No. 1. Research shows a high percentage of BDF members also support other university programs in addition to athletics. All eight academic schools at Fresno State benefit from the fact that students within those schools are there with the help of Bulldog Foundation scholarship monies.

Monies donated have helped initiate nationally recognized student support services in academics, counseling and treatment, and in fifth-year and summer-school scholarship programs.

The Bulldog Foundation is headed by executive director Pat Ogle, named the National Fund-Raiser of the Year in 1996 by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors. He is assisted by Terry Johnson, Jeannette Martin, Myrna Comstock, and Shirley DiFuria.

No. 1 in the Nation: 1986-99*

Year    Total Raised     Ticket $   Donation $
1986      $3,161,363   $1,335,290   $1,826,073
1987      $3,173,277   $1,135,750   $2,037,527
1988      $3,264,135   $1,297,004   $1,967,131
1989      $3,482,063   $1,508,580   $1,973,483
1990      $3,650,435   $1,572,403   $2,078,032
1991      $3,755,899   $1,570,534   $2,185,365
1992      $3,805,762   $1,607,898   $2,197,864
1993      $3,672,438   $1,561,704   $2,110,784
1994      $3,903,611   $1,773,554   $2,130,057
1995      $5,131,000   $2,183,153   $2,947,847
1996      $5,985,568   $3,510,982   $2,474,586
1997      $6,511,850   $2,657,279   $3,854,571
1998      $6,816,2116  $2,817,515   $3,998,601
1999      $7,106,000   $2,929,407   $4,176,593+         

*The Bulldog Foundation has had the No. 1 fund drive of its kind for 14 consecutive years.

+estimated total.