Fiscal Year 2025–26 Giving Highlights

Investing in our community, impacting the world

At Carleton, our collective success is fueled by the individual contributions of our entire community. Thanks to 11,899 alumni, parents, and friends, along with the efforts of 2,901 volunteers, the College raised $142.7 million in cash and commitments in fiscal year 2025-2026—a record-breaking sum that will directly help prepare today’s students to lead in tomorrow’s world. Your generous gifts to the endowment, the Annual Fund, and capital projects are an investment in our community that provide access to world-class academics, high-impact learning experiences, and robust career preparation. Thanks to you and the knowledge and skills gained at Carleton, our students are ready to tackle complex, global challenges and shape a brighter future

Now more than ever, the world is calling for Carls. And we are deeply grateful for everyone who is helping us respond.

The Carleton Access Initiative

Carleton successfully completed the Carleton Access Initiative in May, securing $50 million for financial aid specifically for low-income students. Thanks to dozens of alumni, parents, and friends of the College, this monumental milestone has had an immediate and enduring impact on campus. Since the initiative began five years ago, the proportion of Pell-eligible students at Carleton has grown to 19 percent. These endowed resources will provide an average of 30 new financial aid packages annually in perpetuity, serving as a permanent catalyst for opportunity and helping the College continue to fulfill its promise of meeting 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.

Reunion Giving Highlights

More than 2,450 alumni, family, and friends from the Class of 1956 through the Class of 2026 returned to campus for this year’s Reunion. Helped out by beautiful weather, it was the perfect weekend to celebrate our shared values of lifelong learning and friendships.

50th Reunion:

Members of the Class of 1976 celebrated their 50th Reunion and their lifelong commitment to the College with a class gift of $29.1 million, which included $250,000 in unrestricted support to the Alumni Annual Fund. Inspired to attend Reunion by their class theme “Welcome Back,” 163 classmates returned to campus, setting a new 50th Reunion record.

In celebration of this milestone, the class established the ’76 Bridge to the Future Fund to drive innovation, maintain Carleton’s leadership in career development and preparation, and empower all students, regardless of background, to discover pathways toward meaningful and fulfilling lives after graduation. This $1.2 million endowment will help students discover their strengths and passions and realize the full potential of their liberal arts education. An impressive 47 percent of the class made a gift during their 50th year, and the class almost doubled its Joseph Lee Heywood Society membership, finishing their 50th campaign with 69 members.

25th Reunion: Sharing the ’01 Love, Let’s Get Together

With one love and one heart in mind, members of the Class of 2001 got together in a big way to celebrate their 25th Reunion and give their largest class gift ever for the Alumni Annual Fund. The class raised $298,645, including 38 Three Oaks Society donors, supporting the College’s ability to meet its daily needs through unrestricted gifts. Throughout their 25th Reunion campaign, each committee endeavored to engage with every single classmate and set a goal to invite everyone to be a part of this milestone moment. More than 44 percent of the class returned to campus, and more than 56 percent of the class contributed to the class gift, helping to ensure that every student has the opportunity to experience all that Carleton has to offer.