Through Michigan State University’s Uncommon Will. Far Better World campaign, the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is advancing a bold vision for the future of entrepreneurial education—one rooted in access, talent, and belief in Spartans.
These priorities reflect the Institute’s highest-impact opportunities within the university’s comprehensive campaign. They are designed for alumni and friends who want to make a lasting investment in students, faculty, and the spaces where innovation happens.
The Burgess Institute’s Uncommon Will priorities center on three interconnected areas: people, programs, and place. Together, they ensure that Spartans have the education, support, and environment needed to build what’s next.
At the core of every transformative venture is strong thinking—led by faculty and staff who guide students with insight, research, and integrity. Campaign priorities in this area focus on:
These investments strengthen the academic foundation that powers experiential learning and venture creation across campus.
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity must be built. Through Uncommon Will, the Burgess Institute is focused on expanding access to high-impact entrepreneurial experiences for students across majors, backgrounds, and stages. Key priorities include:
These efforts ensure that more Spartans can turn curiosity into capability and ideas into action.
World-class entrepreneurship education requires spaces that inspire collaboration, creativity, and connection. Campaign priorities include:
These spaces are designed to serve students, faculty, alumni, and partners—bringing the Spartan entrepreneurial community together under one roof.
Uncommon Will gifts to the Burgess Institute are often personalized, multi-year commitments aligned with donor interests and Institute priorities. These opportunities include endowments, programmatic support, capital investments, and leadership gifts.
To learn more about giving through the Uncommon Will campaign or to explore how your interests align with these priorities, email Corey Palmer at longleyc@msu.edu.