Princeton's Annual Giving campaign raises $59.3 million

Princeton University's 2015-16 Annual Giving campaign raised $59,334,144 — the second highest total in Annual Giving history — with 58.4 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 thrilled with this year's Annual Giving results," said President Christopher L. Eisgruber. "These vital unrestricted funds enable Princeton to stay at the forefront of teaching and research, and to meet the full financial needs of our students. I am grateful to our many volunteers for their hard work and dedication, and to our alumni, parents and friends for their loyal and ever-generous support of Princeton."

The Class of 1991, with a participation rate of 71.1 percent, raised the largest amount — $7,279,091, in celebration of its 25th Reunion. The Class of 1986 broke the 30th Reunion record with $5,351,986; and the Class of 1941 raised $429,030 to set a 75th Reunion record.

The 50th Reunion Class of 1966 finished with $5,809,230, its highest total ever, with 76.2 percent participation. Five other major Reunion classes raised more than $1 million: 1976 with $4,338,769; 1981 with $3,064,485; 1996 with $2,145,696; 1971 with $1,019,071; and 2001 with $1,014,101. 

Some 2,842 graduate alumni gave $1,733,732, topping $1.5 million for the fifth consecutive year. Princeton parents gave more than $2.8 million for the fifth time in six years, contributing $2,842,279 to the total. 

The Class of 1958 raised the highest total among non-major Reunion classes, with $812,886; ten other non-major Reunion classes recorded totals of $500,000 or more. 

The 2015-16 Annual Giving campaign drew the largest number of donors ever in one month, with 10,511 givers in June. The Classes of 1935, 1936 and 1937 tied for the highest participation rate: 100 percent of each class's single remaining member made a gift to Annual Giving. They were closely followed by the Class of 1941, which reached 82.6 percent on the occasion of its 75th Reunion; the Class of 1938, which reached 81.8 percent; and the Class of 1963, which reached 78.6 percent. Eight other classes recorded participation rates of 70 percent or higher. 

The youngest five classes averaged 66.1 percent participation, and the youngest ten classes averaged 65.4 percent participation. The Class of 2016, the University's newest alumni, achieved a pledge rate of 91.3 percent, with 1,199 of its members pledging to support Annual Giving for the next four years.

"The generosity of the Princeton family and the devotion of our extraordinary volunteers are the keys to our continued success," said Annual Giving Chair Louise S. Sams, a member of the Class of 1979. "It is the remarkable breadth of participation that strengthens Princeton's continuing excellence. Literally every single gift makes a difference, and immediately impacts life on campus."

Unrestricted gifts to Annual Giving go directly into the operating budget for the benefit of Princeton's students and faculty. These flexible funds provide Princeton's "margin of excellence," allowing the University to seize new intellectual opportunities, respond to unexpected challenges and support a financial aid program that makes a Princeton education possible for all admitted students.