The City University of New York (CUNY) has raised a record-breaking $3.75 million through December 1 from 4,650 individual donors during its #CUNYTuesday campaign, a 29% increase over 2022. The campaign aligns with the nationwide day of giving known as Giving Tuesday.
“Even in the most challenging times, the CUNY community has demonstrated an unstinting generosity of spirit,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “We are touched by committed alumni, employees and neighbors who came together to help us bring bigger and brighter opportunities to our students. Their support is the lifeblood of our University, helping thousands of students pursue and achieve their dreams.”
Since 2019, CUNY has raised $14.5 million during the giving season, which runs between the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and December 31. There’s still time to contribute at CUNYTuesday.org.
Each year, the University raises an average of $180 million from individual donors and philanthropic organizations – including from #CUNYTuesday. Such donations sustain scholarships and academic programs that offer critical support to CUNY students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college and come from households with incomes under $30,000.
Most recently, CUNY received $2.4 million from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation to promote academic success, career preparation and internships, food access and migrant education. This is on top of the $2 million Petrie contributes annually to fund emergency grants and campus food pantries. Reflecting this strategic importance, among the priorities established in “CUNY Lifting New York,” the University’s new roadmap, sets a goal of increasing overall fundraising dollars 30% by 2030.
The City University of New York is the nation’s largest urban public university. Founded in 1847 as the nation’s first free public institution of higher education, CUNY today has seven community colleges, 11 senior colleges and seven graduate or professional institutions spread across New York City’s five boroughs, serving more than 225,000 undergraduate and graduate students and awarding 50,000 degrees each year.
