Princeton University’s 2020-21 Annual Giving campaign raised $68,621,081 — the third highest total in Annual Giving history — with 49.6 percent of undergraduate alumni participating. The results are notable for their strength across all of Princeton’s constituencies: undergraduate alumni, graduate alumni, parents and friends.
“This year’s Annual Giving results are remarkable,” said President Christopher L. Eisgruber ’83. “The challenges of the last year have tested us all, yet so many Princetonians rallied to preserve the University’s mission of excellence in teaching and research and to meeting the full financial need of our students. I am so grateful to our many volunteers for their hard work and dedication, and to our alumni, parents and friends for their unwavering support.”
The Class of 1996, with a participation rate of 62.1 percent, raised the largest amount — $9,741,996, its highest total ever — in celebration of its 25th Reunion. The Class of 1956 broke the 65th Reunion record with $2,195,600.
The 50th Reunion Class of 1971 finished with $4,050,071, its highest total ever, with 56.9 percent participation. Seven other major Reunion classes raised more than $1 million: 1986 with $4,711,986; 1991 with $4,257,991; 1976 with $3,766,957; 1981 with $2,709,167; 1966 with $1,191,573; 2001 with $1,409,203; and 2006 with $1,005,006.
Graduate alumni set a new dollar record, raising $2,414,969 from 2,528 donors. Princeton parents contributed $1,875,712 to the total, the sixteenth consecutive year above $1.8 million.
The Class of 1992 raised the highest total among non-major Reunion classes, with $1,089,982; 12 other non-major Reunion classes recorded totals of $500,000 or more.
This year’s highest percentage of participation belongs to the Class of 1937 achieving 100 percent, with its single remaining member making a gift to Annual Giving. That was followed by the Class of 1963 achieving 75.2 percent on the occasion of its 58th Reunion; the 70th Reunion Class of 1951, which reached 73.2 percent; the Class of 1938, which reached 66.7 percent; the Class of 1965, which achieved 66.6 percent; the Class of 1956, which reached 66 percent; and the Class of 1972, which reached 65.2 percent. Eight other classes recorded participation rates of 60 percent or higher, and 33 other classes recorded participation rates of 50 percent or higher.
“The extraordinary outcome of our Annual Giving campaign is a testament to the generosity of the Princeton family and the dedication and enthusiasm of our incredible volunteer team,” said Annual Giving Chair Christopher E. Olofson ’92. “The collective impact of all gifts — large and small — move Princeton forward together, strengthening its commitment to service, transformative opportunity, and trailblazing research.”
Unrestricted gifts to Annual Giving go directly into the University’s operating budget for the benefit of Princeton’s students, faculty and programs. These flexible funds from undergraduate and graduate alumni, parents and friends allow the University to seize new opportunities, respond to unexpected challenges, and support a pioneering financial aid program that makes a Princeton education possible for all admitted students.
Photo by Steven Freeman Photography
