UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As Penn State prepares for the public launch of its most ambitious fundraising campaign to date, donors at every level have rallied to the need for partnership and support with more than $662.7 million in new gifts during the fiscal year that ended on June 30. The total shatters the University’s past record of $563.5 million, achieved in 2024-25, and reflects commitments from almost 241,000 alumni, friends, fans, corporations and foundations, a number that is also a new record. The enthusiasm of Penn Staters extended to membership in the Penn State Alumni Association, which ended the year at 176,356 strong, a near all-time high.
“This achievement is a testament to the impact Penn Staters make in Pennsylvania and around the world and the pride our community shares in advancing the University’s mission,” said President Neeli Bendapudi. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our supporters, whose belief in Penn State and commitment to excellence will strengthen our University for generations to come. Through their gifts, donors can help us to transform the educational experience for our students, cultivate a welcoming community, embolden our world-class research, champion health care, and deliver on the promise of our land-grant mission.”
These aspirations, which form the core of the University’s current strategic plan, also will guide the campaign, to be formally announced in 2027. Penn State Board of Trustees Chair David M. Kleppinger said, “The fundraising success we enjoyed this year infuses extraordinary resources into our University as we strive to maintain and build upon a world-class education within the financial reach of our students and families that also meets the needs of employers and industries, all while creating real solutions to the challenges facing our commonwealth, our country and the world. This year’s fundraising success sets the stage for raising the bar even further for the campaign and for all of us who love Penn State.”
As in previous years, most gifts in 2025-26 were targeted to specific needs and programs, and nine colleges and campuses broke their individual past records for support. The total encompasses several landmark gifts, including:
-
A $50 million commitment from philanthropist, entrepreneur and civic leader Tom Golisano to support and name Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital.
-
An estate pledge of $55 million, from a couple who has chosen to remain anonymous, that will endow scholarships for Pennsylvania students with financial need.
-
An endowment created by Penn State graduate Jonathan Wolf, who received the 2026 Philanthropist of the Year award, to support College of Education undergraduates preparing for careers as addiction and recovery professionals.
-
An additional $11 million from the A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation for the A. James Clark Scholars Program in the College of Engineering, established with a 2020 gift of $15.5 million.
-
A bequest from the late Alvin L. and Jean Y. Snowiss, totaling $11.75 million, that builds upon their past support for the Palmer Museum of Art and for an endowed scholarship benefiting students from Clinton County.
The year-end results also reflect broad-based support across the Penn State community. The average size of gift was $1,060, and more than 402,000 gifts under $1,000 contributed to the overall total. Collective giving efforts were motivating for many donors, with more than $1.5 million raised during GivingTuesday. In December, Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) at Golisano Children’s Hospital hit a historic milestone: $100 million raised since CMN was founded in 1984. And in February, THON broke its own past record, securing more than $18.8 million for children, families and pediatric cancer research at the children’s hospital.
Gifts to these and other collective efforts, including the Nittany Lion Club’s commitment to supporting Penn State student-athletes, are essential to the University, according to Jay E. Davenport, vice president for development and alumni relations.
“While leadership gifts draw public attention and create transformative impact, the support that donors offer at other levels communicates their faith in the future of the institution, unites and inspires the Penn State community, and highlights to the wider world why our shared spirit and strength are legendary,” Davenport said.
Volunteer Campaign Chair Andy Sieg urged all alumni and friends of the University to channel their dedication into philanthropic support as the campaign begins to reach out to wider audiences.
“Much like a winning sports season, a record-breaking year in fundraising can generate powerful momentum for future success,” Sieg said. “To achieve Penn State’s ambition to be an even more powerful force for transformation in the lives of our students and communities, though, we must all continue to work together as a team united by our pride and our generosity.”
Gifts to Penn State advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.