Another Year of Fundraising Milestones for College of Charleston
For FY26, the College of Charleston Division of University Advancement brought in a record $47.26 million in gifts and commitments, including $2.5 million through the Office of Research Grants Administration.
In fiscal year 2026 (FY26), the College of Charleston Division of University Advancement amassed the largest amount ever raised in the College’s 256-year history: $47.26 million in gifts and commitments, including $2.5 million through the Office of Research Grants Administration.
“This has been a truly extraordinary year of philanthropy,” says College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu. “Transformational investments – including the naming of the Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Beemok Foundation’s visionary gift intention to establish a future home for our School of Business near the Union Pier redevelopment – will shape the future of the College of Charleston for generations.
“At the same time, every gift, regardless of its size, reflects a shared belief in our students and our academic mission,” adds Hsu. “Together, the generosity of our alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and many friends empowers our institution to provide an exceptional education, expand opportunities for our students and strengthen our impact on South Carolina and far beyond.”
In FY26, $5,120,940 in scholarships were awarded to 1,353 students, giving them the ability to focus on their studies without financial stress and greater flexibility when considering experiential learning opportunities such as internships and study abroad.
Making the College a priority, 4,892 alumni donated. Undergraduate and graduate student donors totaled 1,422, including 912 members of the 2026 graduating class.
Through the 8,804 total donors who chose to support the College in FY26:
- 23 new endowed funds were created, resulting in 762 endowed funds;
- $880,302 to unrestricted funds were committed, allowing the College to focus on areas of greatest need;
- an influx of $7,613,488 to privately supported scholarships, including 27 new endowed and restricted scholarships, brought the total active scholarships to 549;
- the 1770 Society, which recognizes donors who donate $1,000 or more annually, saw membership increase to 2,136, the largest number of 1770 Society–level donors on record; and
- corporations and foundations contributed $23,397,482 of the College’s total gifts.
The university also received multiple seven- and eight-figure gifts:
- The Mellon Foundation awarded a $1.5 million grant to reshape experiential learning through the lens of Lowcountry Foodways.
- Michael ’26 (Honorary) and Amy ’82 Bennett made a gift leading to the naming of the first school at the College: the Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
- In memory of his late wife, Ann Looper Pryor ’83, Greg Pryor established an estate gift to endow a competitive alumni scholarship based on merit and leadership.
- Building on the intentionality course he teaches at the College, through the Beemok Foundation, Ben Navarro opened the doors of the Center for Intentionality, a space to help students meet new friends, challenge themselves and grow.
- The Beemok Foundation, the family office of Ben and Kelly Navarro, also published an intention to donate the abandoned Carroll building at Market and East Bay streets as the location to establish a world-class business school that embodies the university’s commitment to innovation and community partnerships.
- The Petway family established the Amanda Leigh Petway ’90 Memorial Endowed Honors Scholarship to close the scholarship gap for talented students in the Honors College and the Petway Scholars Endowed Summer Enrichment Fund to give Honors College students the opportunity to take advantage of experiential learning over the summer.
These successes were due in large part to new and reimagined programs:
- The regional development team, which was formed in 2025, connected CofC community members across the most alumni-populated regions and created more opportunities to interact with the College.
- CofC Giving Day became more interactive with games like the Cash Cube. Collaboration with schools and units increased, leading to a stronger unified voice.
- In February, the College celebrated Legacy Weekend, bringing back a customized 50th-plus milestone reunion for the first time in many years while also celebrating members of the Cistern Society and Porter’s Circle.
“The generosity and dedication of the College of Charleston community is truly laudable,” says Dan Frezza, chief advancement officer and chief executive officer of the College of Charleston Foundation. “Thanks to our growing culture of engagement and philanthropy, the student experience at the College has improved, resulting in future leaders who are making a difference in the communities where they work.”
The next big engagement with the College will be Homecoming, Nov. 4-8. Please join in the fun that will include the annual golf cart parade, basketball game, Alumni Awards ceremony, oyster roast, tailgate, family picnic and more.
