Impact of Your Gift

At the end of the SUNY Oneonta Foundation's "Grow Thrive Live" campaign in June of 2023, in which the Foundation exceeded its goal by 32% by raising $33 million, the Foundation's total assets stood at an impressive $72 Million (note this # was Oct 2023 number from Dean's letter - we need June). But the momentum didn't stop there. With record levels of gifts raised this year ($6.8 Million) and strong portfolio performance, we are pleased to report that the Foundation has exceeded the $90 Million mark for the first time. The Foundation's total assets grew to $91.7 Million at the end of July 2025.

Behind those strong results are some positive indicators that should continue to propel us forward - a record number of new funds (34) were created for the foundation this year, there was a 42% increase in the number of donors over the prior year, and big increases in first time and retained donors.

Why is this so important? The funds raised by the Foundation from our growing number of generous donors provide mission critical support for our students - experiential learning such as internships, research and global learning, scholarships and awards, faculty development, assistance with student emergencies, and funding for campus programs. These funds are the difference between attending college or not for many students, between a good education and a great one, between a smooth transition to their career ahead vs. a bumpy road. In short - table stakes for the achievement of SUNY Oneonta's mission.

A huge thank you to all our donors for all you've done for our students. With your help, our overarching goal to create a $100 Million Foundation for SUNY Oneonta is within our grasp.

Sincerely,
Nancy Pierce '77
President, SUNY Oneonta Foundation Board of Directors

The spirit of SUNY Oneonta – and roar of a Red Dragon – echoes far beyond Oneonta’s hills. Indeed, the pride our alumni demonstrate for SUNY Oneonta is contagious. We are among the most spirited alumni in the SUNY system. And your continued involvement — through donating, volunteering time, and even just scrolling to read this message — helps our community grow stronger.

SUNY Oneonta has always been special to me. My mother, Sharon Kisner Maggiore, a graduate of the Class of 1975, introduced my sister, Emily Maggiore from the Class of 2014, and me to campus early in life, consistently bringing us back for Alumni Weekend to celebrate with her friends. Then, I met some of my closest friends when I was here as a student. But, it wasn’t until I graduated and started working in the field I studied – Communications and Public Relations – and was invited back to speak to students that I truly appreciated the unique community we have at SUNY Oneonta. This realization ignited a spark in me to volunteer more frequently, and it’s what motivated me to join SUNY Oneonta’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. I’ve been a Director since June 2019 and am extremely honored to be serving as President.

Now 76,000 members strong, members of our alumni family are truly everywhere – spread all throughout the United States, and really, all over the world. If you haven’t realized it yet, it’ll happen someday when you least expect it. You’ll be wearing an Oneonta sweatshirt or a baseball hat and someone will stop you at the airport, an event, or maybe something for your child, and they’ll start to talk to you about their own SUNY Oneonta connection.

Loving called the University’s “friend-raising” arm, our Alumni Association is focused on building on these connections and fostering relationships to continue to build on the strong sense of community that SUNY Oneonta is known for. We play a crucial leadership role in shaping policies for the Office of Alumni Engagement, as well as establishing goals and objectives for the various programs and services that are offered to alumni and current students. When we join the Board of Directors, every director commits to staying engaged with the University, representing SUNY Oneonta as ambassadors, serving on committees, and regularly contributing to fundraising campaigns and the Fund for Oneonta.

I hope you'll join me in recognizing that as alumni, it's our duty to pay it forward to support future students and the future of SUNY Oneonta. Whether it’s through donating financially or giving your time by volunteering at events and providing guidance to current students and peers (or all of the above 😊), whatever currency you choose has a ripple effect that will shape our future leaders and the passion they feel for our alma mater too. Together, we are all building a legacy that shines brightly.