Princeton's Annual Giving campaign raises $48.6 million

Princeton University's 2009-10 Annual Giving campaign raised $48,582,819 -- the third highest total in its history -- with 60.8 percent of undergraduate alumni participating. The results are notable for their strength and breadth across all of Princeton’s constituencies: undergraduate alumni, graduate alumni, parents and friends.

"I am delighted with this year's splendid Annual Giving results, which are especially important midway through the Aspire campaign and so meaningful in this difficult economic climate," said President Shirley M. Tilghman. "These unrestricted funds are vital to sustaining Princeton's excellence in teaching and research while preserving our commitments to financial aid and graduate fellowships. I am deeply grateful to all the volunteers for their remarkable dedication, and to our alumni, parents and friends for their loyal and generous support of Princeton."

Undergraduate alumni participation in Annual Giving surpassed 60 percent for the first time in a decade, drawing the largest number of alumni donors ever: 35,351. In addition, the 2009-10 campaign brought in a record number of gifts from all constituencies: 42,751.

Leading the classes in the dollar amount raised was the class of 1970, which raised $5,271,970 -- breaking a record for a 40th Reunion campaign and becoming the first class ever to raise more than $4 million four times. That was followed closely by the 25th Reunion class of 1985, which finished with $5,101,985 and 70.6 percent participation, both all-time highs for the class. Six other major Reunion classes raised more than $1 million: 1980 with $4,083,359; 1960 with $3,677,060; 1965 with $1,788,851; 1990 with $1,671,601; 1975 with $1,400,075; and 1955 with $1,100,055.

Princeton parents contributed a record $2,707,991. For the sixth consecutive year, graduate alumni raised more than $1 million, with $1,467,036.

The class of 1958 raised the highest total among non-major Reunion classes for the second year in a row, with $855,768; 11 other non-major Reunion classes set new records for their reunions.

This year's record participation was led by the class of 1934, whose 10 members posted a rate of 100 percent, and the class of 1942, which recorded 89.1 percent participation. Sixteen other classes recorded participation of 70 percent or higher.

Among the younger classes, the highest participation was attained by the class of 2009, reaching 74.5 percent in celebration of its first alumni year. As a group, the youngest five classes averaged 71.2 percent participation.

"The generosity of the Princeton family and the dedication of our extraordinary volunteers are the keys to our continued success," said Annual Giving Chair R. Kelly Doherty, a member of the class of 1981 from Bernardsville, N.J. "It is the remarkable breadth of participation that supports Princeton's pursuit of excellence. Literally every single gift makes a difference, and immediately impacts life on campus."

All gifts to Annual Giving are part of the University's five-year, $1.75 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign, Aspire: A Plan for Princeton.