Princeton University's 2013-14 Annual Giving campaign raised $58,748,900 — the highest total in Annual Giving history — with 61.4 percent of undergraduate alumni participating. In addition to undergraduate alumni, contributions come from graduate alumni, parents and friends.
"I am thrilled with this year's Annual Giving results," said President Christopher L. Eisgruber, a member of the Class of 1983. "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."
Undergraduate alumni participation in Annual Giving reached 61.4 percent, the highest percentage in 45 years, with the largest number of alumni donors ever: 37,464. In addition, the 2013-14 campaign brought in a record number of gifts from all constituencies: 45,502.
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, contributing $3,001,033 to the total. Some 3,087 graduate alumni gave $1,828,457 — 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, which posted an extraordinary 84.9 percent among its 1,279 members. That was closely followed by the Class of 1964, which reached 80.5 percent on the occasion of its 50th Reunion; the Class of 2010, which achieved 80.4 percent; and the Class of 1936, which reached 80 percent. Thirteen other classes recorded participation of 70 percent or higher.
The youngest five classes averaged 77.1 percent participation, and the youngest 10 classes averaged 72.1 percent participation. The Class of 2014, the University's newest alumni, achieved a pledge rate of 94.8 percent, with 1,197 of its members making a commitment to support Annual Giving for the next four years.
"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. "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."
Unrestricted gifts to Annual Giving go directly into the operating budget and have an immediate impact on Princeton and its students. These flexible funds allow 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.
