Stanford received $1.1 billion in philanthropic donations between Sept. 1, 2017 and Aug. 31, 2018, according to the University’s 2017-2018 fundraising results released on Feb. 11. Over 72,000 alumni, parents and friends of Stanford donated money to support financial aid, interdisciplinary research, faculty support and patient care.
President Marc Tessier-Lavigne expressed appreciation for those who contributed to Stanford’s fundraising efforts. He emphasized community involvement as a key component to achieving the University’s long-term goals.
“Stanford’s alumni, parents and friends are fundamental to the University’s success, and I am deeply grateful for their generosity,” Tessier-Lavigne told Stanford News. “The engagement of the entire Stanford community remains vital as we seek ways to magnify the University’s benefit to society and move forward with a shared vision for the future.”
University research and programs received the majority of the funds: $436.6 million. Donors also contributed $104.6 million for maintenance and construction of buildings and facilities, $99.3 million to aid Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children’s Health and $71.4 million to attract and support faculty.
Financial aid donations allowed 81 percent of undergraduate students to graduate with zero loan debt in June 2018. The funds also helped alleviate financial burdens for 79 percent of graduate students.
The majority of donors contributed to the University through annual funds, which raised a total of $73.1 million. The Stanford Fund for Undergraduate Education, for example, is a campaign encouraging alumni, students, parents and friends to renew their Stanford ties by making annual gifts. The Stanford Fund raised $27 million toward undergraduate financial aid, academic programs and support for student groups.
Donors also made gifts in support of specific University initiatives, including the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program and the renovations of Frost Amphitheater and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school).
The University also received $107 million from corporations, including a gift from computer software company VMware to establish the Stanford VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab, an initiative conducting research to advance women’s leadership.
Donors also contributed $232 million to the University’s endowment, which provides financial support for the University in perpetuity.
Most donations received by the University were under $1,000, and almost half of donors contributed $100 or less.
Contact Alex Tsai at aotsai ‘at’ stanford.edu.