College of Charleston Hits Philanthropy Milestone in FY25

The College of Charleston Division of Institutional Advancement, in partnership with the campus community, raised more than $29 million in fiscal year 2025 (FY25). In addition, the Office of Research and Grants Administration brought in $4.1 million for a total of $33.1 million – the largest amount raised in the College’s 255-year history.

“This high-water mark in the College’s history is thanks to the generosity and support of our donors,” says Dan Frezza, chief advancement officer and CEO of the College of Charleston Foundation. “We are so fortunate to have a community of engaged people dedicated to our university and its students. Our culture of engagement and philanthropy will impact the university’s ability to serve our students and community on both local and national levels.”

Through the 9,493 donors who supported the College in FY25:

• 25 new endowed funds were created, adding to the College’s more than 735 active endowed funds;
• $836,058 was secured in unrestricted commitments, which allow the College to focus on areas of greatest need;
• 20 new restricted scholarship funds were created for a total of 534 active scholarships; and
• the 1770 Society, which recognizes donors who give $1,000 or more annually, saw an increase of 643 donors, bringing the number of 1770 Society donors to 2,704.

Corporations and foundations contributed $8.51 million of the College’s total gifts. And the university received five seven-figure gifts:

• Mace Brown ’07 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 the Athletics Department and campus initiatives.
• The Schoen Foundation gifted $1,094,985 to support the College’s veteran and military students.

Scholarships remain the university’s highest philanthropic priority, as they allow the College to recruit more outstanding students. In FY25, 488 scholarships, with a value of $4.6 million, were awarded to 1,200 students, giving them the ability to focus on their studies without financial stress and with greater flexibility for experiential learning opportunities such as internships and study abroad.

“Our mission to develop ethically centered, intellectually versatile and globally fluent citizens is possible because of our community of people dedicated to our future leaders,” says College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu. “I am inspired by how our culture of engagement and philanthropy is transforming the College.”

Overall, in FY25 alumni engagement spanned Cougar Nation with 153 events with more than 5,300 attendees, including more than 3,500 alumni. Undergraduate alumni participation reached 7.03%, with 4,693 donors making the College a priority. Student, undergraduate and graduate donors totaled 1,037, and the Class of 2025 had 866 donors, a 57% participation rate.

Of special note is the roaring success of a renewed Homecoming tradition, featuring men’s basketball’s thrilling win over Florida Atlantic University, the Alumni Awards Ceremony, an oyster roast and the College’s first-ever Donor Gratitude Gala. Another Homecoming weekend will be celebrated November 10-16, 2025, complete with special school and division activities, a parade, sports, the Donor Gratitude Gala, a tailgate and pep rally.

To continue to foster alumni engagement, CofC Day, the College’s day of giving, will take place on March 19, 2026. Spring Alumni Weekend, including the second Volunteer Leadership Summit, will be held the weekend before May commencement.

For fiscal year 2026, the Division of Institutional Advancement projects more significant accomplishments thanks in part to its new regional officers, who will expand the College’s engagement footprint to key areas where alumni and donors live and work.

FY25 proved to be an outstanding year for the College, but the forecast is for next year to elevate the College to even greater heights.