SUNY Potsdam Surpasses $5.9 Million in Giving, Thanks to Dedicated Donors

SUNY Potsdam Donor Support Fuels Scholarships, Academics and Student Success with Generous Record of Support in 2024-25

Potsdam, NY (08/20/2025) — SUNY Potsdam raised more than $5.9 million in new gifts and commitments during the 2024-25 fiscal year, thanks to the steadfast support of its generous donors. Overall giving increased by 10 percent from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, reflecting the deep commitment of alumni and friends to the College.

"What moves me most isn't the size of the checks, it's the conviction behind them. Our donors are betting on the future of our students and this institution, trusting that what happens here will ripple outward for years and generations to come. This surge in giving tells me our alumni and friends see SUNY Potsdam not just as a college they once knew, but as a living force for possibility. That's the kind of belief that moves us all forward," said SUNY Potsdam Vice President for Advancement David Davin.

Despite being one of the smallest SUNY comprehensive colleges, the Potsdam campus continues to rank among the top institutions for fundraising among its SUNY peers.

The Potsdam College Foundation, which stewards private giving in support of SUNY Potsdam, received gifts from 2,578 donors to the College in 2024-25, of whom 333 were President's Club members (giving $1,000 or more in one fiscal year). In addition, the Raymond Legacy Society now includes 403 members, celebrating those who make an estate gift, establish an endowed fund or name a physical space on campus. The families of our current students also showed their Bear Pride with an 18% increase or 206 annual parent households taking part in giving, thanks to efforts like the Bears Roar On friends and family fundraising campaign to support the needs of student athletes.

"I'm deeply moved by the enthusiasm our alumni and friends show for a place close to our hearts. Every gift -- regardless of size -- amplifies the life-changing power of a SUNY Potsdam education. Our donors' generosity doesn't just benefit individual students; it strengthens our campus, uplifts our community, and echoes far beyond," said Potsdam College Foundation President Amy Kellogg '99.

Overall, among the outright gifts received in 2024-25, donors empowered students' success by contributing $2.24 million to scholarships, academic resources and direct student services. Approximately $700,000 was given to creative and transformational experiences, such as applied learning, athletics, the arts and community programming.

Flexible unrestricted giving saw an uptick to $2.7 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year, supporting emerging needs, exciting unforeseen opportunities and strategic priorities, thanks to the Potsdam Promise and Fund for Potsdam initiatives.

Aside from outright gifts, the Foundation saw a big jump in donor advised fund giving, receiving $1 million in 2024-25. This includes gifts made through the New York State Charitable Tax Credit Program, which is now in its fifth year and has generated $1.5 million to the College overall. Applications for the program are now open and run through Sept. 30.

Among the major gifts last year, the campus received $1 million from the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, which was given without restriction and allocated by President Smith to the Potsdam Promise, which supports strategic priorities such as the Student Success Initiative.

The Foundation was also fortunate to receive several gifts to honor individuals through the naming of physical spaces on campus in 2024-25, including the dedication of the Joy Rehearsal Room and "Doc" Mark Hartman Practice Room at The Crane School of Music, and the Shusda Classroom and Foisy Classroom in Carson Hall.

The Foundation's endowment market value now stands at approximately $62.9 million, up 15 percent over the last year at this time. On top of direct giving, endowed program funds generated $1.1 million for departments and programs across campus, and endowed scholarships generated $1.1 million for direct student support in 2024-25.

To learn how you can make a difference for SUNY Potsdam students, visit www.potsdam.edu/giving.

About the Potsdam College Foundation:

Established in 1968, the Potsdam College Foundation is a non-profit corporation charged with receiving gifts on behalf of SUNY Potsdam, and stewarding the continued growth of private giving in support of the College. Its mission is to ensure a quality future for the College and its people by encouraging gifts of all types and stewarding endowments to support scholarships and campus programs. For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/giving/pcf.

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