The Forever Orange Campaign raised nearly $1.6 billion that is transforming the University’s campus, accelerating academic excellence and expanding access to talented students from across the socioeconomic spectrum. (Photo by Joey Heslin)
With its most ambitious fundraising campaign in history now complete, Syracuse University today announced it surpassed the $1.5 billion goal of Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University, raising nearly $1.6 billion by the time it closed on Dec. 31, 2024. The funds generated have already had an unprecedented impact on Syracuse University—creating and transforming the University’s facilities and spaces, accelerating academic excellence and discovery, and expanding access to talented students from across the socioeconomic spectrum.
“I am grateful to everyone who helped us reach and exceed the ambitious goals of the Forever Orange Campaign,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “The extraordinary generosity of so many is already having a profound impact—transforming our campus, driving academic excellence and providing life-changing opportunities for our students. The Forever Orange Campaign was a catalyst to convert big ideas into exciting realities. But none of it would have been possible without the passion, support and commitment of our Orange community.”
Forever Orange fundraising eclipsed that of Syracuse’s last three campaigns combined—a testament to the tenacity, spirit of giving and dedication of the Orange community. Launched five years ago, Forever Orange sought to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support from 125,000 donors and meaningfully engage 20% of alumni—and all three goals were exceeded. At campaign close, thanks to the generosity of 125,699 individual donors—including trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, families and friends—the Forever Orange Campaign raised a total of $1,590,234,203, and meaningful alumni engagement now exceeds 20.5%.
The funds raised will fuel research, support faculty recruitment, enhance world-class teaching and learning, expand financial aid, increase access to experiential learning and immersion programs, elevate the success of Orange Athletics, foster entrepreneurship and innovation and more for generations to come. As a result of the campaign:
Beyond the classroom, sweeping physical changes have transformed Syracuse University since the onset of the campaign. Among those are:
Growing and formalizing the University’s volunteer leadership structure was critical to the campaign’s success. Since the campaign’s launch in November 2019, the University’s alumni engagement office hosted more than 3,700 events and programs, which collectively engaged over 30,000 alumni. The campaign also relied on a powerful network of nearly 15,000 leadership volunteers who served on alumni club boards, advisory boards, regional councils and more. Many of these individuals worked behind the scenes for years before the campaign launch to galvanize their own networks—often including alumni, parents, families and friends.
“When we talk about a campaign’s success, we often focus on the goals and metrics. But campaigns are really built on relationships, trust and a shared belief in one’s mission,” says Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. “The Forever Orange Campaign didn’t begin with a dollar goal; it began with people who loved Syracuse University deeply enough to imagine its future and then make it real.”
The campaign was chaired by trustees Patricia Mautino ’64, G’66, Mike Thonis ’72 and the late H. John Riley Jr. ’61. Barlok expressed her deep appreciation for their partnership.
“Pat, Mike and John were recruited because our leadership sought ambitious people—visionaries and influencers who had a conviction that audacious goals were part of the Orange DNA. And I can’t imagine three individuals who better embodied these characteristics,” Barlok says. “We are grateful to them, to all our campaign volunteers and to our supporters. And we’re so excited for what’s ahead.”
Syracuse University is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.
