A record year for Princeton University fundraising

More than $49 million raised, the largest amount in Princeton’s history

By: Nick Norlen
   Princeton University’s annual giving campaign broke nearly 20 records this year on its way to a donation total of more than $49 million — the largest amount raised in the school’s history.
   The funds, garnered from undergraduate and graduate alumni and parents, are unrestricted funds that will go toward academic programs and financial aid.
   Director of Annual Giving Bill Hardt said donations "flow into the university’s operating budget as they’re received," and are spent almost immediately according to a spending plan created by the Priorities Committee, which includes students, faculty and members of the administrative staff.
   "They can be directed to any of the university’s highest priorities," he said, citing support of two specific areas: innovation and "core programs — things that distinguish Princeton from other universities, but that are expensive to provide."
   He added, "Princeton is able to do more because of the scale of alumni support."
   This year, that support came in record numbers.
   New highs were reached by five major reunion classes, with members of the class of ’82 marking their 25th reunion with an all-time class donation record total of $7.8 million.
   Princeton parents gave approximately $1.9 million, and graduate alumni posted their fifth consecutive high with donations totaling nearly $1.5 million.
   The campaign reached an overall participation rate of more than 58 percent, and included donations from all six remaining members of the classes of 1925, 1928 and 1929.
   But younger alumni didn’t disappoint, with the class of 2002 breaking a participation rate record that had stood for more than 50 years.
   Mr. Hardt said the campaign aims to establish the habit of donating early, so former students continue to donate when they’re able to give more substantial amounts.
   "You never know on whom fortune may shine," he said.
   But despite the records set in recent years, donations aren’t taken for granted, he said.
   "We start every year from zero, so you never know each year as you start … what the playing conditions are going to be," he said. "It can be a significant challenge."
   Mr. Hardt credited the success of this year’s campaign to the strength of the economy and the performance of the stock market.
   But "most significantly, the volunteer leadership was effective this year and campaigns got underway early and were well planned and well executed," he said. "There’s a huge amount that depends on individual conversations between alumni volunteers and prospective donors."
   Leading the volunteers was Giving Campaign Chairman Frederick Strobel, who will relinquish his post after a successful three-year term, Mr. Hardt said.
   The new chair, appointed by President Shirley Tilghman, will be university trustee Rajiv Vinnakota.