The Center was created after an extensive and inclusive process involving faculty, staff, students, nonprofits, funders, and a major grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Building Bridges initiative.

In 1999, the Arizona Board of Regents approved the ASU Lodestar Center to become a comprehensive academic center to enhance the effectiveness of nonprofits-especially those involved in positive youth development and human services-through the four interdisciplinary areas of focus:

• Research that Matters
• Nonprofit Leadership Education
• Assistance to Nonprofits
• Conferences and Convenings