Responsive. Flexible. Available.
Scholarships, student trips, equipment and technology upgrades, guest lecturers, special events, immersive learning programs, campus improvements…
All are made possible by your generosity through SUNY Potsdam’s Annual Giving Program.
Annual Giving ensures and expands access to the educational programming and learning opportunities that encompass the SUNY Potsdam student experience.
Annual gifts represent the most flexible form of support immediately available to secure student success by responding to emerging and ongoing needs.
You choose the difference you want to make.
Annual giving at any level creates a tangible, immediate impact on the campus community. Participating means directing any amount of support to an area you’re most passionate about or which reflects your connection to the College.
Alumni, parents and friends of SUNY Potsdam can make a meaningful difference by filling a need – even a $1 gift makes you one of thousands who support SUNY Potsdam students each year.
Annual giving initiatives – from Giving Tuesday to campus partner campaigns, Charter Day to Fall and Spring appeals – seek to address students’ financial needs, improve the educational experience and create a resilient campus.
Learn more about the potential impact of your annual gift below.
Support SUNY Potsdam Students today
Why is annual giving support important?
Annual gifts provide critical resources that increase student success.
For example, gifts through the Fund for Scholarships help students afford a SUNY Potsdam education:
- In the 2020 – 2021 academic year, 86.8% of full-time undergraduate students received financial aid to attend SUNY Potsdam. On average, need-based scholarships provided by the College fulfilled only 80% of the need for students requiring financial assistance.
- Nearly $500,000 in general scholarship support was raised over this same period – ensuring access to a SUNY Potsdam education for hundreds of current students.
How does the Annual Giving Program define success?
Annual Giving aims to inspire and connect people to the area(s) of support that align with their personal experiences and passions in relation to SUNY Potsdam.
Annual Giving objectives include:
- Engaging the greater SUNY Potsdam community in meaningful opportunities to support students and meet campus needs
- Meeting or exceeding campaign goals for campus partners
- Spreading a culture of generosity across campus
Annual Giving Designations
Fund for the College's Greatest Needs
Generosity through the Fund for the College’s Greatest Needs provides the most far-reaching and flexible funding to meet emerging needs and opportunities across campus as they arise. The Greatest Needs fund may support new equipment purchases, additional scholarship aid, student travel and research projects.
Fund for Scholarships
Each year the demand for scholarship aid outpaces what SUNY Potsdam can provide to meet each student’s needs. Support through the Fund for Scholarships expands the amount of need-based scholarship aid for students. Generating the life-changing impact of scholarship support remains a top priority for the College.
Fund for Arts & Humanities
Generosity through the Fund for Arts & Humanities provides support for the School of Arts & Sciences’ academic programs in the liberal arts. This fund creates opportunities for hands-on learning experiences across 18 departments and interdisciplinary studies, enhancing resources for supplies, travel and research.
Fund for Crane School of Music
Generosity through the Fund for the Crane School of Music supports its rich history of music education and performance. This Fund continues the School’s commitment to preparing students for careers in music at the highest level. Guest conductors and visiting artists, master classes, student travel, instruments and music licensing and publishing are some of the defining elements of the Crane experience made possible through this fund.
Fund for Teacher Education & Professional Studies
SUNY Potsdam is deeply rooted in providing excellence in teacher preparation. Support through the Fund for Teacher Education & Professional Studies continues this legacy by providing resources and student teaching collaborations. This fund also assists professional studies majors prepare for careers in business administration and public health and human performance.
Fund for Math & Science (STEM)
Generosity through the Fund for Math & Science (STEM) enhances targeted areas of study in the School of Arts & Sciences that prepare students for successful careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. Support through this fund creates resources for program needs including lab equipment, technology, guest speakers and travel to research conferences.
Fund for Student Services
Gifts through the Fund for Student Services provide support to offices on campus that ensure student success, improve the student experience and offer enrichment opportunities like special events. Tutoring, applied learning and career development are some of the growing student services made possible from generosity through this fund.
Fund for Libraries
The Fund for Libraries supports educational resources and services provided by the College’s two libraries — Frederick W. Crumb Library, the main library located in the newly-renamed Lougheed Learning Commons, and the Julia E. Crane Memorial Library, which serves Crane students and faculty. Generosity through this fund enables the libraries to acquire books, online database subscriptions and learning equipment that best serve students and faculty.
Fund for Athletics
Support through the Fund for Athletics enhances the student-athlete experience for SUNY Potsdam’s 17 NCAA DIII teams by improving equipment, nutrition and training. This fund also supports campus-wide recreational resources that promote fitness, health and wellness for all students.