Make a Gift

With so many important challenges facing the conservation of wildlife, fish, and the habitats they rely on, you might think that every major university in the United States must have a department like FWCB. Surprisingly there are only eleven universities in the country with a department dedicated to fisheries and wildlife. Your support can help ensure the U of M continues to have a thriving department to support FWCB education, research, and outreach. 

If you have any questions about making a gift or would like to set up a new fund or consider FWCB in your estate plans, please contact Rob Blair, FWCB Department Head (612-624-2198, [email protected]).

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Scholarships for Undergraduate students

Addressing future fish and wildlife conservation and management needs depends on the next generation of professionals. Your gifts help ensure our students have opportunities that are critical for their professional development. Donating to the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology helps us maintain and enrich our programs.

Joseph Alexander Scholarship (Fund #6762 ) supports new undergraduate students in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with excellent academic credentials and a strong interest in hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

Bill Berg Scholarship in CFANS (Fund #23665) supports junior or senior FWCB students from underrepresented communities who enhance the diversity of the student body.

FWCB Scholarship Fund (Fund #6348) supports students pursuing degrees in FWCB. 

Grady Mann Scholarship (Fund #9093 ) benefits students with academic promise, particularly those interested in wetlands, waterfowl, and associated habitat management. 

International Scholarship (Fund #6035) is intended for new or current CFANS students who have strong personal and professional interests in, as well as, extensive first-hand experience with one or more of the countries and cultures of Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Caribbean. A preference will be given to students majoring in FWCB.

Janet S. Boe Leopold Land Ethic Workshop Award (Fund #21682) is available for undergraduate or graduate students, enrolled in CFANS, who are participating in a University-approved professional development conference or event with a land conservation and ethics focus. Preference will be given for students who wish to attend the Land Ethic Leadership Workshop as sponsored by the Aldo Leopold Foundation or its future equivalent.

Jay C. Hokenstrom Memorial Scholarship (Fund #5372) benefits full-time CFANS students, with a preference to students pursuing the Fisheries specialization of FWCB and to students who need support for field courses.

Safari Club International—Erik Ness Memorial Scholarship (Fund #5748) benefits undergraduate students in the wildlife specialization.

Graduate Fellowship Funds

FWCB attracts graduate students who have exceptional potential to be our next generation of natural resource leaders. Fellowship support for graduate students is critical for providing research support, travel to meetings to present research findings, and stipends. Your gift can help make FWCB an even better place to launch a promising research or conservation career! 

Conservation Sciences Graduate Student Fund (Fund #8544) supports fellowships, travel to meetings to present research or travel to special training programs for students in the Conservation Sciences program.

Gordon Gullion Fellowship Fund (Fund #3618) provides fellowships for graduate students pursuing studies in wildlife ecology and management.

L. Daniel Frenzel & Thomas F. Waters Fellowships (Fund #1491) provides support for graduate students advised by a FWCB faculty member.

Leigh H. Perkins Fellowship in Wildlife Management (Fund #6015) supports graduate students in wildlife management working with the Gullion Endowed Chair.

Wally Dayton Fellowship in Wildlife Research (Fund #6550) provides support for new or current graduate students, with a preference for students interested in wildlife research with financial need, and who are veterans of active duty in the US Armed Forces or the Peace Corps.

John Dobie Memorial Fund (Fund #D432) provides fellowships for fisheries graduate students with excellent academic records.

General Support and Special Funds

The department offers a variety of ways to support students, projects and programs through tax-deductible contributions: simply use our secure online form to submit a donation in a few short steps. On the form you can provide detailed instructions on whether your donation is for a specific use, or you can choose to leave it to the department's discretion to put it toward the greatest need.

Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Fund (Fund # 8544)
Support for general operating support of the department including scholarships, fellowships, facilities and capital needs.

Otto W. Kolshorn Memorial Fund (Fund #1613) 
Supports FWCB's annual public lecture on a natural resource topic in fisheries, wildlife, and conservation biology.

Gordon Gullion Chair (Fund #3637)
Provides funding for an endowed chair in forest wildlife research and education.