Every day, gifts to SUNY Oneonta help create opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni. Of the thousands of supporters who made a philanthropic gift to the university last year, more than three-quarters gave to the Fund for Oneonta, which provides flexible funding for a wide range of initiatives across campus.
The power of annual giving lies in the principle of strength in numbers, regardless of any single gift’s size. The greater the number of alumni, friends, parents, faculty, and staff who participate, the greater the impact will be on the university.
Where does your gift to the Fund for Oneonta go?
Gifts to the Fund for Oneonta expand funding for:
- student scholarships
- alumni and student networking opportunities
- student internships and career programs
- campus programs and student services
- university traditions
- alumni engagement programs
What is the Fund for Oneonta?
The Fund for Oneonta, the university's annual giving program, is an opportunity for alumni, parents, and other members of the Oneonta community to enhance educational opportunities for students. Through a series of fundraising appeals conducted every year, the Fund provides a convenient way for a large audience of alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends of Oneonta to support the university through donations.
Why is the Fund so Important?
Unrestricted, current-use gifts are particularly valuable because they provide the university with financial resources to build and expand critical areas of support, including scholarships, experiential learning opportunities, equity and inclusion programs, research, and library resources. The Fund for Oneonta is also the main source of revenue for the Alumni Association, allowing students to stay connected with the university after graduation.
What does the Fund Support?
Gifts to the Fund for Oneonta provide revenue that enhances every student’s experience. Scholarships, student life programs, networking opportunities for students, student-faculty collaborative research, library acquisitions, admissions programs and many other innovative academic initiatives would not be possible without gifts to the Fund for Oneonta. The Fund for Oneonta also provides engagement opportunities for students and alumni through events such as Pass Through the Pillars and Alumni Weekend.
Why is Fundraising Essential?
It is a widely held misconception that as a SUNY school, Oneonta derives all of its support from the state of New York. On the contrary, the university is only assisted by the state, from which it currently receives only 12% of its annual operating expenses. Moreover, tuition and fees only cover a portion of the actual cost of educating an Oneonta student. Private contributions help to bridge the gap between the total cost of a university education and the amount students pay in tuition.
Why is Participation Important?
The power of annual giving lies in the principle of strength in numbers, especially when donors give on a regular basis. The more alumni, friends, parents, faculty, and staff who participate, the greater the impact on the university. And regardless of size, your gift works to increase the university's overall giving participation rate, which influences Oneonta’s national rankings. Participation in giving is also important to grant-making organizations that want to know that Oneonta’s alumni, parents, and friends are invested in the future of the university.
I am incredibly grateful for your generous contribution towards my education through the scholarship I have received. Your support has not only lightened my financial burden, but has also inspired me to work harder and strive for excellence. I am sincerely thankful for this opportunity, and I am determined to make the most of it to achieve my academic and career goals.
-Martin, Class of 2026
I am genuinely appreciative of the financial support our donors provide, as it will significantly alleviate the financial burden of my education and enable me to focus on my academic pursuits. Your kindness has inspired me to work diligently and strive for excellence throughout my academic journey. Thank you for your invaluable support, which is helping to make my educational dreams a reality.
-Ariana, Class of 2026
You Have the Power!
Today’s SUNY Oneonta experience would be drastically different without the many campus programs provided by gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.
The greater the number of alumni, friends, parents, faculty, and staff who participate, the greater the impact will be on the university. Would your student experience have been different without the Fund for Oneonta?
You have the power to help keep these essential programs as part of the Oneonta experience. Together with gifts from thousands of other alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends, your generosity has the potential to impact the lives of so many others who follow in your footsteps. Look at all your gift can accomplish! Make your annual gift to the Fund for Oneonta today through any of the methods described below.
How Can I Make a Gift?
Visit our How to Give page for ways you can support the Fund for Oneonta!
