UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As Penn State concludes the first year of a new comprehensive fundraising campaign, still in its quiet phase, donors have already rallied to the call for support with campaign commitments of $430 million. That total represents strong endorsement of University President Neeli Bendapudi’s institutional vision and values, which the campaign aims to support. This fundraising success was driven by 71 gifts of $1 million or more, for a total of $224 million at that level. The University received gifts from an increased number of donors overall during 2023-24, reflecting broad-based support across the Penn State community.
“Penn Staters express their passion for this institution in so many ways — not only through the cry of ‘We Are’ on football Saturdays, but also through the investments they make, at every level, in the future of the University and our students,” said Bendapudi. “The support our alumni and friends have offered to start this campaign will continue to impact our mission of education, research and service for decades to come. These results are an inspiring statement of belief in our future, and I am excited to see how our new campaign can bring all of us together on behalf of the students and communities we serve.”
The past year saw some of the biggest gifts to Penn State in recent memory, including a commitment from longtime donors Gene and Roz Chaiken that confirmed their place as the second-largest donors in University history and created Chaiken Centers for Student Success in four new units across the institution, building upon their past generosity to the College of the Liberal Arts. A donor who has chosen to remain anonymous has made an eight-figure estate commitment supporting scholarships in multiple units; furthering pediatric cancer research at Penn State College of Medicine; providing top academic leaders with flexible resources and helping the Blue Band to continue inspiring pride across the Penn State community.
Andy Sieg, who is serving as volunteer chair for the new campaign, said, “These gifts represent remarkable acts of philanthropic leadership, and I am deeply grateful for the example our top donors have set as we all consider how our support can contribute to the campaign’s success and shape the University’s future. No matter what we can give, we can play a role in creating a Penn State that will be a source of profound pride for new generations.”
The call for widespread support resonated with many Penn Staters over the past year. The University’s ninth GivingTuesday effort set new records for both participation and fundraising, securing a total of more than $1.4 million from nearly 13,600 donors. Penn Staters once again led the Big Ten during One Big Week, making more than 2,400 gifts and beating rival Ohio State in a head-to-head challenge to raise support for student-athletes. The 2024 Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) raised more than $16.9 million, a new record. In total, the University received gifts from 231,215 donors over the past year.
“In an increasingly challenging higher education landscape, Penn State and Penn Staters can be proud of our community’s continued strength and shared commitment to supporting educational excellence, opportunities beyond the classroom and impact for communities in Pennsylvania and around the world,” said David J. Lieb, interim vice president for development and alumni relations. “I am grateful for the way in which our alumni and friends have stepped up for the University, and I am eager to see what we can achieve together as our new campaign moves forward.”
Penn State donors 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.