Annual Giving campaign raises nearly $37 million

The 2004-05 Annual Giving campaign raised $36,976,959 -- the highest total in Princeton's history -- with 58.6 percent of undergraduate alumni participating. The results are notable for strong performances across Princeton's broad range of constituencies, including major Reunion classes, non-major Reunion classes, graduate alumni and parents.  

"I am deeply grateful to our alumni, parents and friends for their hard work and generosity in making this year's Annual Giving campaign such a success," said President Shirley M. Tilghman. "These unrestricted funds are critical to sustaining our comprehensive financial aid policies, strengthening our excellent faculty and advancing both new and ongoing programs in teaching and research."  

Leading the classes in dollar amount raised was the class of 1980, which raised $5,001,980 in celebration of its 25th Reunion. The class of 1970 set a new record for a 35th Reunion with $4,001,970, its fifth consecutive major Reunion record and its third time topping $4 million.  

The 50th Reunion class of 1955 finished with $3,638,147, the second highest total for a 50th Reunion class. Three other classes raised between $1.0 and $2.7 million: 1960, 1965 and 1975.

Graduate alumni and the Parents Fund both set new records for giving this year. Graduate alumni contributed $1,016,123, exceeding last year's total by 12 percent, and Princeton parents gave $1,894,019, an increase of 10.5 percent.  

The class of 1963 continued its leadership among non-major Reunion classes, contributing $600,063, the highest total ever among non-major classes. The class of 1963 and 15 other non-major classes set new records for their Reunions.

The campaign, which drew the largest number of undergraduate alumni donors ever, ended with a record surge of gifts, including more than 1,000 on the campaign's final day, June 30. The 70th Reunion class of 1935 posted the highest participation, reaching 87.1 percent.  

Among the youngest 20 classes, the highest participation was attained by the class of 2002, reaching 70.9 percent, with the youngest five classes averaging 66.5 percent. "The dedication of these young alumni, who are most closely connected to the University, is especially heartening," said Annual Giving Chair Frederick Strobel '74. "As always, the efforts of our volunteers are key to our success, and the enthusiasm among the youngest classes provides encouragement to everyone."

In addition to the record-breaking performance of Annual Giving, which provides unrestricted funds, Princeton also received exceptionally strong support this past year through designated gifts. These gifts, from alumni, parents and friends, together with corporations and foundations, amounted to $134.6 million, bringing the overall total of philanthropic giving for the year to $171.6 million. New funds were contributed for a wide range of purposes, from endowed professorships to undergraduate scholarships to new facilities such as Whitman College, the new collegiate gothic facility now under construction that will house some 500 students. 

"It is wonderful that Princeton's thoughtful supporters stepped forward to make a difference in so many areas," said Brian J. McDonald '83, vice president for development.