Giving Day at Adelphi has raised record donations in three of the past four years, but the 2026 event on April 22 and 23 reached a heady new level, tripling its goal of $750,000 and becoming the first to raise more than $1 million.
It was just four years ago, in the spring of 2022, when Adelphi’s annual Giving Day first reached $500,000 in donations. Two years later, it set a new record of $684,000. Another big jump last year raised the bar to $886,000.
But nothing compares to the totals set this spring, when donations rocketed to $2.28 million, including $1.07 million in outright commitments and $1.2 million in planned gifts. The generosity was spread across the University, as every academic unit and key campaign reached or exceeded its individual fundraising target.
“With 1,580 donors and 1,626 gifts, our community demonstrated the true impact of investing in the University we believe in,” said Thomas Kline, EdD, Adelphi’s vice president of University advancement and external relations. “This remarkable generosity is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of our Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact. We are filled with deep gratitude and hope for the future of Adelphi.”
1,896 Minutes—and Reasons—to Give
As it has since Adelphi’s 125th anniversary, Giving Day has lasted a few more than 24 hours, extending to 1,896 minutes to reflect Adelphi’s founding in 1896.
While the timing has changed, Giving Day at Adelphi has continued to benefit programs and causes across the University. Donations are made to each of the University’s colleges and schools, athletic programs, the Bridges to Adelphi program for students on the autism spectrum, and causes including the Adelphi Fund, Performing Arts Center, Innovation Center, SPARK Center for undergraduate research, Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, and Panthers Pay It Forward Campaign.
A new challenge was added to Giving Day this year as well—planned giving. Thirteen people, including four anonymous donors, met the challenge and committed a total of $1.2 million dollars. The University is proud to recognize all 13 donors as members of the Adelphi Forever Gold Society.
There are many other highlights of this year’s giving.
The Adelphi University Honors College received a $45,000 gift from alumni Carole ’64 and Neal ’63 Stuber, and the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business led the University’s eight schools and colleges, raising $67,335, with generous matching gifts from its Dean’s Advisory Board, Trustee Kevin Mahony ’83 and an anonymous donor. Adelphi Athletics, always supported by Panther fans, raised $268,504, including $52,775 for men’s soccer and $45,630 for the men’s golf program.
Every current member of the Adelphi University Board of Trustees participated, reflecting their ongoing commitment to Adelphi’s mission. Close to 1,600 donors in all showed their support for Adelphi, including alumni, students and their families, faculty, administrators, staff, and friends of the University. The funds raised will continue advancing Adelphi’s 130-year-old mission to transform student lives through exceptional hands-on learning, extraordinary student experiences, accessible scholarships and academic resources.