Allegheny College Sets Record Breaking Fundraising Year with $91 Million

Alumni engagement helps build campaign coffers to $168.5 million -- two-thirds of 2027 target 

MEADVILLE, Pa., July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegheny College today announced it has exceeded expectations on progress for its comprehensive campaign, "In for Allegheny: Our Pathway Forward," securing an additional $91 million in gifts in the past 12 months toward the College's largest campaign ever. As of the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2025, the College reported a three-year total of more than $168.5 million in commitments, reaching two-thirds of its $250 million goal well before its targeted conclusion in June 2027. 

"Thanks to the enthusiastic backing of our alumni and friends, this philanthropic support enables Allegheny College to invest forward to advance academic excellence, enhance our vibrant campus, achieve robust student outcomes, and continue to thrive as a national leader in teaching, research, innovation, and value," said President Ron Cole. Fundraising under President Cole's leadership has outpaced what has been typical for liberal arts colleges nationally this year and generated the highest amount of donor support in the College's 210-year history.

In addition to funding, the campaign has a dual aim to raise Allegheny College's profile and engage alumni to Invite, Inspire, and Invest. Alumni are asked to invite and refer prospective students to Allegheny College whom they feel, from their personal experience, would thrive and contribute to the vibrant campus community. Since the launch of the campaign, nearly 900 volunteers have taken part in recruiting the next generation of Gators. 

As a result, over the past year the College has seen a three-fold increase in the number of high school seniors referred by alumni, parents, students and friends. These referred students represent nearly 20 percent of the incoming Class of 2029. Students who apply by the early action deadline of December 1 receive an additional $4,000 in scholarships -- awarded over four years -- through the campaign's Referral Scholarship program.

Inspire through Career Connections
By working with the Center for Career and Professional Development, career-focused alumni engagement is making a powerful impact. In 2024–2025, twice as many volunteers stepped up to serve as classroom speakers, recruiters, internship hosts and professional mentors compared to the previous year. Since the start of the "In for Allegheny: Our Pathway Forward" campaign, more than 1,100 volunteers have inspired students through meaningful career support and by their example, coming back to talk with students about major and minor options to prepare for success after graduation. 

The Class of 2024 is already finding success, with 98 percent employed or enrolled in graduate or professional programs within six months of graduation.

"It's important to recognize how successful our alumni are in their careers and how they're willing to give of their time, talent and treasure because of their sincere belief in President Cole's leadership and the College's Strategic Pathway, deep values of caring for the world around us, and a desire to support current and future students," said Matthew Stinson, vice president for institutional advancement.

Stinson noted that the College's philanthropic support, combined with on-campus student engagement, community service opportunities and sustainability efforts, helped earn Allegheny College a #5 ranking on The Princeton Review's 2025 Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact. 

About Allegheny College
Allegheny College, founded in 1815, is one of the nation's most historic and innovative four-year colleges. With the distinct requirement of completing a major and minor in different academic areas, students receive multidisciplinary learning that celebrates their unusual combinations of interests. This develops creative, independent thinkers with a path for educational depth and intellectual growth, preparing students for a successful launch after graduation and even for a future career that may not yet exist. Located in northwestern Pennsylvania, 1.5 hours equidistant from Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo, Allegheny College is one of 40 colleges featured in Loren Pope's "Colleges That Change Lives" and recently ranked #4 by The Princeton Review in its Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact. In its 2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Allegheny College as one of the country's top 100 national liberal arts colleges, with special distinctions including one of the top 10 best for senior capstone experience and one of the top 25 best for undergraduate teaching, and research and creative activities.

Media Contact
Ivy Cohen
Ivy Cohen Corporate Communications
212-399-0026
[email protected]

SOURCE Allegheny College