Donor Support Strengthens the Cornell Student Experience
ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University’s division of Student & Campus Life (SCL) celebrated another year of extraordinary philanthropic support in fiscal year 2026, raising $10.3 million in new gifts and commitments from 8,287 donors. Among those supporters were 1,269 alumni who made their first-ever gift to Cornell, and a record 1,922 parents and families, underscoring the growing enthusiasm among alumni, families, and friends to invest in the student experience.
These gifts help sustain and expand the experiences that define campus life at Cornell beyond the classroom, empowering students to build essential life skills, forge lifelong friendships, engage with their communities, discover purpose, and develop into thoughtful, engaged citizens of the world. Student & Campus Life encompasses the programs, services, and opportunities that support students’ well-being, leadership development, sense of belonging, and personal growth throughout their Cornell journey.
“This remarkable outpouring of support reflects our donors’ belief in the power of the Cornell student experience,” said Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student and campus life. “The generosity of alumni, parents and family members,and friends enables us to create transformative opportunities for students outside the classroom–experiences that help them thrive academically, personally, and as future leaders. We are deeply grateful to every person who invests in our students and their ongoing success.”
A Historic Campaign Comes to a Close
FY26 also marked the successful conclusion of Cornell University’s historic To Do the Greatest Good campaign. Since the campaign launch in 2021, Student & Campus Life exceeded its original fundraising goal of $80 million by an extraordinary margin, raising $133.4 million in support of students and the programs that enrich their Cornell experience.
Campaign investments strengthened student well-being initiatives, expanded opportunities for community engagement and leadership development, enhanced recreation and wellness programming, created pathways for belonging and connection, and supported numerous programs that help students navigate the challenges and opportunities of college life. The campaign’s success reflects a shared commitment among donors to ensuring that Cornell students have access to experiences that prepare them not only for careers, but for lives of purpose and impact.
The Division of Student & Campus Life (SCL), which is dedicated to supporting the holistic development of students, academically, socially, and physically, also included Cornell Athletics & Physical Education. During the campaign, combined giving to Athletics and other SCL departments totaled $36.6 million in new gifts and commitments from more than 15,000 donors in FY26, and $339M from more than 50,000 donors.
Transformational Giving in FY26
Among the year’s most significant gifts was a $1 million commitment from Jon Anderson ’71 to endow the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement’s Pre-Orientation Service Trips (POST) program. The gift establishes permanent support for the program and its staff while creating opportunities for additional year-round programming and scholarships for students who otherwise might not be able to participate.
Founded in 1996, POST welcomes first-year and transfer students prior to the start of classes and introduces them to meaningful service opportunities throughout the greater Ithaca community. Since its inception, more than 1,500 students have participated in the program, contributing nearly 33,000 hours of community service.
“There’s a lot more to education than what happens in the classroom,” Anderson said when announcing the gift. “I think it’s incredibly important that Cornell not only invests in shaping students’ individual academic and professional pursuits, but that we’re helping them grow into active, engaged citizens.”
The gift embodies the broader mission of Student & Campus Life: creating opportunities that foster connection, leadership, service, and personal growth while helping students develop the skills and values that will guide them long after graduation.
The Impact of Collective Generosity
While transformational gifts help launch and sustain major initiatives, annual support from thousands of donors remains the foundation of Student & Campus Life’s work. Gifts of all sizes provide critical resources that enhance student well-being, strengthen communities of belonging, expand leadership opportunities, and support innovative programs that respond to emerging student needs.
The participation of 8,287 donors this year—including 1,269 first-time alumni donors—demonstrates the enduring commitment of the Cornell community to ensuring every student can benefit from a vibrant, supportive, and transformative campus experience.
As Student & Campus Life looks ahead, donor support will continue to play a vital role in advancing opportunities that help students learn, lead, serve, and thrive—creating a Cornell experience that extends far beyond the classroom and prepares graduates to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.
Student & Campus Life is the heart of the Cornell student experience outside the classroom, supporting students through programs and services that promote well-being, belonging, leadership development, community engagement, recreation, and personal growth.