Institutional Advancement gets support to transform the campus

With tradition and transformation as its north star, the Division of Institutional Advancement has been sharing the vision of the College and getting the support to transform the campus in remarkable ways.  

Thanks to donor support, FY25 saw the largest fundraising year in its 255-year history, with more than $33 million in gifts and commitments. This outpouring of support demonstrates donors’ commitment to the College’s efforts to develop ethically centered, intellectually versatile and globally fluent citizens.  

“We continue to enhance and invest in our culture of engagement and philanthropy, and the response has been phenomenal,” says Dan Frezza, chief advancement officer and chief executive officer for the College of Charleston Foundation. “Through the generosity of our alumni, parents, friends and partners, we are able to transform the experiences of our students.”   

In FY25, the College received 25 new endowed funds, adding to the more than 735 active endowed funds. In addition, 20 new restricted scholarship funds were added to create 534 active scholarships. The College also received $8.51 million from corporations and foundations for scholarships, research, programs and more.  

Of particular note are the five seven-figure gifts the College received in FY25.  

• Mace Brown ’17 (Honorary degree) and Liz Kane partnered to make a $1 million gift to the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History. 
• Three anonymous alumni and friends gave $11.5 million to multiple campus initiatives, including the Athletics Department.
• The Schoen Foundation gifted $1,094,985 to support the College’s veteran and military students. 

These FY25 achievements are thanks to the dynamic Division of Institutional Advancement team, which includes Advancement Services; Corporate and Foundation Relations; Creative Services; Annual, Major, Principal and Planned Giving; the Regional Team; Financial Services; Property Management; Alumni Affairs; and University Events, Advancement Communications and Donor Relations.  

Institutional Advancement’s seventh annual CofC Giving Day is coming up on March 19. There will be many fun activities on campus and at regional clubs. On campus, there will be a student organization banner challenge, a student scholarship Cougar Mall takeover and a block party at Cistern Yard.  

Spring Alumni Weekend will be held May 1-2, along with many school and unit events, the weekend will include the following. 

Friday, May 1: 

• The second annual Volunteer Leadership Summit 
• 1770 Society, which honors those who have contributed $1,000 or more to the College in the past year 
• Viva Chuck Vegas, an evening featuring Vegas-style games; delicious hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails, beer and wine; and a casino-style show featuring crooning from a trio of current students backing a vocalist and a big band orchestra comprised of alumni and musicians from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra backing three alumni vocalists.  

Saturday, May 2: 

• A Charleston Affair 

Be sure to mark your calendar for Homecoming and Family Weekend Nov. 4-7. In addition to the men’s basketball game, parade, carnival and pep rally, Institutional Advancement has a momentous announcement planned.    

The outpouring of philanthropy has truly transformed the trajectory of the College. In line with the needs of the Lowcountry and the region, the university is making strategic investments in scholarships, research and institutional growth, which is garnering the College national distinction.  

“The generosity and commitment of our donors are making an enormous impact on our campus both now and in the future,” says Frezza. “The College of Charleston is primed to make this next phase of our development the most transformational in our 255-year history. We hope all corners of Cougar Nation will join the effort from all corners of the world.”