Princeton University's 2014-15 Annual Giving campaign raised $61,490,178 — the highest total in Annual Giving history — with 60.3 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.
"This year's results are truly remarkable, and they exemplify the deep commitment to Princeton that our alumni, parents and friends have demonstrated through 75 years of our Annual Giving program," said President Christopher L. Eisgruber, a member of the Class of 1983. "The unrestricted funds raised through Annual Giving are vital to upholding Princeton's excellence in teaching and research, and to meeting the full financial needs of our students. I am grateful to our many volunteers for their hard work and indefatigable spirit, and to our donors for their unwavering and generous support of this University."
For the sixth consecutive year, undergraduate alumni participation in Annual Giving exceeded 60 percent, drawing a total of 37,263 alumni donors. The campaign brought in 44,991 gifts from all constituencies.
The Class of 1965, with a participation rate of 79.7 percent, raised the largest amount — $7,416,459, the second highest total for a 50th Reunion Class. The Class of 1970 raised a record-setting $5,079,919 in celebration of its 45th Reunion. The Class of 1985 broke the 30th Reunion record with $4,751,985; and the Class of 1995 raised $2,733,495 to set a new 20th Reunion record.
The 25th Reunion Class of 1990 finished with $7,001,990, its highest total ever, with 70.4 percent participation. Two other major Reunion classes raised more than $1 million: 1980 with $3,528,939, and 1975 with $1,571,039.
Some 2,970 graduate alumni raised $1,779,170 — their third highest total ever. For the eighth year in a row, Princeton parents gave more than $2 million, contributing $2,596,688.
The Class of 1958 raised the highest total among non-major Reunion classes, with $850,119; nine other non-major Reunion classes recorded totals of $500,000 or more.
The Classes of 1935 and 1936 tied for the highest participation rate: 100 percent of each class's three members made gifts to Annual Giving. They were closely followed by the Class of 1938, which reached 84.6 percent; the Class of 1963, which reached 80.6 percent; and the Class of 2010, with 80.6 percent on the occasion of its 5th Reunion. Fourteen other classes recorded participation rates of 70 percent or higher.
The youngest five classes averaged 73.8 percent participation, and the youngest 10 classes averaged 69.5 percent participation. The Class of 2015, the University's newest alumni, achieved a pledge rate of 90.2 percent, with 1,165 of its members pledging to support Annual Giving for the next four years.
"The success of Annual Giving is the direct result of the dedication and enthusiasm of our incredible volunteer team coupled with the generosity and loyalty of our alumni, parents and friends," said Annual Giving Chair Louise "Weezie" Sams, a member of the Class of 1979. "It is always inspiring to serve alongside so many loyal Princetonians who place such a high priority on supporting our University's continuing excellence, and even more so on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Annual Giving."
Unrestricted gifts to Annual Giving go directly into the operating budget and have an immediate impact on Princeton and its students. These flexible funds provide Princeton's "margin of excellence," allowing the University to seize new intellectual opportunities, respond to unexpected challenges and support a pioneering financial aid program that makes a Princeton education possible for all admitted students.
