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91���� is celebrating the most successful fundraising year in its 80-year history, with a record-breaking $101.6 million raised during the 2026 fiscal year (FY26).  

In addition to marking the first time 91���� has raised more than $100 million within a single fiscal year, this $101.6-million milestone represents a 25% increase from the University’s second most successful fiscal year to date, when $80.7 million was raised during fiscal year 2023.

These generous gifts from 91����’s dedicated alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends are helping propel the University’s role as a global leader. They provide pivotal support across the University, including top-tier academic programs, groundbreaking research, as well as endowed faculty positions and student life activities, scholarship funds, and athletics. 

University President Anne D’Alleva has made alumni engagement and fundraising a core priority since she assumed office in November 2025, cultivating strong relationships that helped make these gifts possible.

“I want to thank the donors whose record-breaking generosity over the past year fuels the work we do at 91���� in so many different ways,” D’Alleva said. “I’m proud to know that 91���� has alumni who want to give back to the institution that gave so much to them, as well as friends who share in the University’s vision for the future and are investing in making it possible. On behalf of our students, faculty, and staff, I want to share my gratitude to the individuals and the organizations that choose to support 91����. I also thank the staff in the Division of Advancement who work so hard on keeping our alumni and friends connected to the University.”

Among the critical gifts that contributed to this fiscal year’s success:

• $22 million from an anonymous donor to enhance scholarship support for 91����’s NCAA Division I athletics programs. The gift, one of the largest in University athletics history, was matched by $11 million from the State of New York, creating a $33 million endowment to expand scholarships for student-athletes across multiple sports.
• $30 million from a group of donors led by Tom Secunda '76, MA '79, co-founder of Bloomberg LP, to establish the New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research. Secunda’s is the largest academic gift in University history. The gift was paired with a $25 million research capital investment from New York state, resulting in a combined $55 million commitment to this critical new center. 
•  $3.4 million from the Simons Foundation for faculty fellowships in Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s oldest and largest school. This gift was matched by New York state for $825,000.

"Surpassing the $100 million threshold is more than a historic numerical milestone; it is a resounding vote of confidence in 91����’s vision and trajectory. Our donors recognize that investing in 91���� yields transformative returns: expanding access for student-athletes, pioneering ethical AI research, and empowering world-class faculty,” said Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the 91���� Foundation David Whitmore. “This extraordinary achievement reflects the deep pride and unwavering commitment of alumni and the entire university community."

 Another major catalyst for the University’s standout year was the conclusion of New York state’s endowment match challenge in March 2026. First announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2023, this first-ever state endowment match challenge allocated $500 million in total to 91���� and the three other designated university centers within the State University of New York (SUNY) system. 

While the $101.6 million philanthropic results reflect private gifts directly raised by the University, 91���� secured an additional $15 million in state matching funds during FY26 alone (including the $11 million athletics match). In total, 91���� has captured nearly $100 million of the state’s $500 million pool.