USC continues as one of nation’s top 3 in university fundraising success

USC again is among the nation’s top three universities for fundraising, according to the Council for Aid to Education.

Now standing at nearly $4.8 billion toward the $6 billion goal for the Campaign for USC, the university finished 2015 with the third-highest fundraising total among U.S. academic institutions, trailing only Stanford and Harvard universities. CAE’s annual college fundraising report released Jan. 27 lists USC as raising more than $653 million last year.

“USC’s academic priorities and campaign goals continue to resonate with the entire USC community,” said Albert R. Checcio, USC’s senior vice president for university advancement. “Each gift makes a difference, and I extend my sincere gratitude to every donor who helped make this successful year possible.”

With the release of the latest figures, USC continues its position among the nation’s top three: It also was third — with Harvard and Stanford filling the top two spots — in 2014 and 2013.

2015 was a stellar year for academic fundraising across the nation, as U.S. colleges and universities notched a record $40.3 billion in donations — an increase of 7.6 percent compared to 2014. Gifts from alumni and non-alumni drove the national growth.

The data come from CAE’s “Voluntary Support of Education” survey. Further details on national fundraising and related trends are available in CAE’s press release. Comprehensive results from the survey will be released later this year.

The Campaign for USC is a multiyear effort to secure $6 billion or more in private philanthropy to advance USC’s academic priorities and expand its positive impact on the community and world. At the time of its launch in 2011, the campaign was the largest fundraising goal ever announced in higher education.