Colgate University Receives More Than $40 Million in New Gifts

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February 9, 2023

Colgate University has raised more than $40 million in the first half of the 2022–2023 fiscal year. With these new gifts, the total raised during the Campaign for the Third Century now stands at $476 million — nearly half of the historic $1 billion goal.

“I am profoundly grateful for the generosity of Colgate’s alumni, parents, and friends,” says President Brian W. Casey. “The Third-Century vision is clear, our plan is ambitious, and our community has joined the effort with remarkable support.”

These new gifts will increase faculty support through new endowed chairs; provide funding for arts, creativity, and innovation; and support capital projects within the Third-Century Plan.

“Colgate’s Third Century is made possible by the kind of generosity we have seen during the last six months. That generosity will see the University strengthen academic programs, enrich the student experience, revitalize our beautiful campus, and expand access for the best and brightest students from around the world,” says Campaign Co-Chair Christine Chao ’86.

A gift of $15 million has been received for development of Middle Campus and other campus projects, to be outlined in future announcements. An additional gift of $10 million will allow the University to launch the Lower Campus Initiative and begin to transform the residential experience for Colgate’s juniors and seniors. Greater detail about these gifts will be announced shortly.

Gifts totaling more than $10 million will support improvements to Colgate’s athletics facilities, the creation of a visiting artist fellowship, and other Third-Century Plan priorities in the years ahead.

With this announcement, Colgate has also raised its 12th new endowed faculty chair, on the way to a campaign goal of 20 new chairs. Endowed chairs make support of the Colgate faculty more robust and permanent.

Meanwhile, a gift from the Clifford family will create an endowment for the position of Innovator in Residence in support of Middle Campus programming. The creation of this role enables Colgate to bring, for short or longer-term residencies, innovators or artists, who will be invited to teach classes or workshops and work with students and faculty on innovation, entrepreneurship, making, and design projects. Innovators in Residence will leverage their expertise to enrich, imagine, and prototype a diversity of projects within the University’s community of scholars. 

The Colgate Fund, which provides immediate resources for programs across the University, saw nearly $5 million raised in the second half of 2022. The majority of campaign donors participate through the Colgate Fund, a vital resource that has allowed the University to launch the Colgate Commitment and dramatically increase student financial aid. Gifts to the Colgate Fund also allow Colgate to enhance student life, support athletics, and improve the campus.  

“To those who have given — at every level, to any pillar of the campaign — I extend heartfelt thanks,” says Campaign Co-Chair Gretchen Burke ’81, P’11,’20. “The Third-Century Plan has set a course for Colgate, and I am thrilled to see such support from Colgate alumni, parents, and friends.”