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Syracuse University's Game-Changing Fundraising Initiative

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Syracuse University has launched a pioneering fundraising campaign, the Syracuse Promise, to significantly increase scholarship support for high-achieving students. The initiative aims to raise $50 million in scholarship funding over the next three years, with an average of $16.7 million annually. The Orange community has responded with exceptional enthusiasm, already raising over $5.2 million in new funding. This growth will provide more meaningful scholarship packages and enhance the University's ability to award scholarships to more students.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Syracuse Promise seeks to raise $50 million in scholarship funding over the next three years, with a matching program that empowers donors to enhance their impact.
  • The initiative has already raised over $5.2 million in new funding, with an average of $1.73 million raised per month.
  • The University is offering a 1:2 match for contributions supporting scholarship endowments, fueled by two generous unrestricted estate gifts.
  • The matching program is eligible for contributions of $100,000 or more that establish new endowed scholarships and $50,000 or more to enhance and sustain existing ones.
  • To date, 78% of Syracuse students receive some form of financial aid, with the University reducing average student debt burden by over 10% in recent years.
  • The initiative is particularly powerful for donors who wish to make an enduring endowment-level gift but might not have previously thought it possible, such as Jeannine and Glenn Lostritto, who made an additional gift to their Lostritto Family Endowed Scholarship.
  • Donors like Joseph and Linda Bockskopf, Robert and Teresa Heitsenrether, and Stephanie D. Jones have established or expanded scholarships through The Syracuse Promise initiative, providing lasting support for SU students.

Statistics:

  • The Syracuse Promise has raised over $5.2 million in new funding since its spring launch.
  • The average monthly contribution to the initiative is $1.73 million.
  • The matching program is eligible for contributions of $100,000 or more to establish new endowed scholarships and $50,000 or more to enhance and sustain existing ones.
  • To date, 78% of Syracuse students receive some form of financial aid.
  • The University has reduced average student debt burden by over 10% in recent years.
  • The Syracuse Promise aims to raise $50 million in scholarship funding over the next three years, with an average of $16.7 million annually.

Sources:

  • Syracuse University News Staff
  • Syracuse University, "The Syracuse Promise" fundraising initiative
  • Tracy Barlok, Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, Syracuse University
  • Jeannine Lostritto, University Trustee and donor to the Lostritto Family Endowed Scholarship
  • Joseph Bockskopf, donor to the Joseph T. Bockskopf '84 and Linda D. Bockskopf Endowed Scholarship
  • Robert Heitsenrether, donor to the Robert and Teresa Heitsenrether Endowed Scholarship Fund
  • Stephanie D. Jones, donor to the Spirit of Sankofa - Stephanie D. Jones L'03 Endowed Law Scholarship

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