The Florida International University (FIU) Foundation is devoted to advancing FIU’s progress as one of the nation’s top 50 public universities by generating support for student success, groundbreaking/cutting-edge state-of-the-art research, and public service to benefit the local and global communities. Established in 1969, the Foundation connects donors with FIU's colleges and schools as well as programs, students, faculty, and other meaningful opportunities that match their interests. The Foundation is a nonprofit corporation governed by a board of directors, whose members play a significant role in the development of FIU as a major educational, cultural, and economic resource. The accomplished fundraisers and other professionals at the Foundation engage with alumni and friends, corporations, and foundations to enable them to invest in FIU and to steward their gifts to ensure optimal impact. The Foundation is registered by the State of Florida as a charitable organization and is approved by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization.