ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University achieved a record-level year of giving during the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Vice President Kevin Hughes said the university raised $11,707,016, which represents a nearly 43 percent increase over last year’s fundraising total of $8.2 million. Hughes also noted that the institution has raised more than five times what it raised five years ago.
“This year’s fundraising total represents the largest fundraising year in the university’s history,” Hughes said, adding that the previous largest year of fundraising was in fiscal year 2010 during Distinction: The Campaign for Winthrop when $8,799,489 was raised. “We appreciate the generosity that our donors have shown to Winthrop over this last fiscal year. We clearly have donors who love this place and want to ensure Winthrop’s bright future for years to come.”
President Edward Serna ’02 said the giving record reflects the confidence that donors have in Winthrop. “Donors have taken note of Winthrop’s recent achievements, including our enrollment growth, new academic programs, recently announced partnerships, athletics wins, and so much more. I’m grateful for their selfless giving because our students are the winners in these latest fundraising efforts. A majority of these gifts go directly to scholarships that provide financial assistance so that students can worry less about how to pay for their Winthrop experience and focus more on making the most of their time here,” Serna said.
Other highlights of the year include:
- For the first time since fiscal year 2021, Winthrop saw an increase in the number of alumni donors.
- Winthrop set a record with the number of “leadership level” donors who are in the President’s Circle, which recognizes donors who give $1,000 or more during the year. There are now 513 in that giving category, a number that has steadily climbed from 364 in fiscal year 2023.
- The institution welcomed 92 donors who established a new, monthly gift, which will provide a dependable source of ongoing funding.
“I’m very proud of the entire university advancement team for the tireless effort that each of them pours into the work and events that lead to these impressive giving numbers,” said Hughes.
Additional Achievements to Note:
The university’s annual Bleed Garnet Give Gold Day of Giving, which was held April 21-22 and affectionately called BG3, prompted1,084 donors to contribute $339,716 to Winthrop. Hughes noted that donors helped unlock 14 matching and challenge gifts to help further increase the giving total.
Meanwhile, the Winthrop University Foundation reached its own milestone surpassing $100 million in investment assets, marking an important first in the foundation’s continued growth and long-term financial stewardship.
This achievement reflects the generosity of Winthrop donors, the careful oversight of the Foundation Board, and a disciplined investment strategy designed to strengthen Winthrop’s future, said Courtney Jurado, executive director for the foundation. She added that a strong foundation creates a stronger university because it provides a greater capacity to support scholarships, academic excellence, faculty and strategic priorities for generations of students to come.
For more information on how to give to Winthrop, please call 803/323-2275 or visit www.winthrop.edu/advancement.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
