Aspire, Annual Giving break records

Published in the June 6, 2012, Issue

Princeton’s five-year Aspire campaign concluded June 30 after raising a record-breaking $1.88 billion and surpassing the goal of $1.75 billion. More than 65,000 donors contributed, including 77 percent of all undergraduate alumni.

The campaign was bolstered by contributions to Annual Giving in the final year, which also set a new record: $57.2 million contributed by more than 36,000 alumni. The Class of 1987 gave $11,001,987, an all-time high. Eight other classes raised more than $1 million: 1952, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1992, and 1997. Graduate alumni topped $1 million for the eighth consecutive year, and Princeton parents surpassed $3 million for the first time.

Contributions to Aspire helped fund several major projects, including the Lewis Center for the Arts, the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, the renovation of Butler College, and the construction of new athletic facilities and a bridge spanning Washington Road. They also support undergraduate financial aid, graduate fellowships, new professorships, and the bridge-year program for incoming freshmen.

President Tilghman said in a statement that the Aspire campaign “has reinforced our traditional strengths while allowing us to break new ground.”