Princeton University’s Annual Giving Campaign Sets New Record

prade4Princeton University’s 2013-14 annual giving campaign raised a record $58.7 million, with 61.4 percent of undergraduate alumni participating, school officials announced yesterday.

“I am thrilled with this year’s Annual Giving results,” Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber said. “These crucial unrestricted funds enable Princeton to stay at the forefront of teaching and research, meet the full financial need of our students, and sustain and enrich extraordinary opportunities for learning and discovery. I am grateful to our many volunteers for their hard work and commitment, and to our alumni, parents and friends for their steadfast and generous support of Princeton.”

Unrestricted gifts to annual giving go directly into the Princeton University operating budget.  University officials said the flexible funds allow the school 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.

Undergraduate alumni participation in the campaign this year reached highest percentage in 45 years, with the largest number of alumni donors ever: 37,464. The 2013-14 campaign also brought in a record number of gifts overall, with 45,502 people donating.

The 25th reunion class of 1989, with a participation rate of 71.5 percent, raised the greatest amount — $9,013,889, the second highest total ever for a Princeton class. The class of 1984 raised $4,741,984, a record for a 30th reunion. The class of 1979 broke the 35th reunion record with $4,737,679; the class of 1999 raised $1,202,999 to set a new 15th reunion record; and the class of 2009 achieved a 5th reunion record with $403,249.

The 50th reunion class of 1964 finished with $5,246,410, its highest total ever, with 80.5 percent participation. Four other major reunion classes raised more than $1 million: 1974 with $2,158,474; 1969 with $2,094,030; 1994 with $1,706,894; and 1959 with $1,075,483.

For the third consecutive year, Princeton parents gave more than $3 million. Some 3,087 graduate alumni gave $1.8 million — their second highest total ever.

The Class of 1958 raised the highest total among non-major reunion classes, with $842,207; seven other non-major reunion classes recorded totals of $500,000 or more.

This year’s highest percentage for participation belongs to the Class of 2012, with 84.9 percent of its 1,279 members participating.

“The success of annual giving is the direct result of the dedication, efforts and energy of our remarkable volunteers and staff. It also reflects the appreciation and loyalty of our alumni, parents and friends,” said John O. “Dubby” Wynne, a member of the Class of 1967 who is completing his second year as chair of annual giving for the university. “It is the unparalleled breadth of participation that supports Princeton’s excellence. Each and every gift makes an important difference and speaks volumes to others about all of our commitment to the future of our great university.”

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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.