Every Gift Counts
Thousands of members of the HWS community came together to invest in today’s students and help build the foundation for the institution’s future.
July 1, 2025 — June 30, 2026
Raised for Hobart and William Smith
Against a goal of $27.7 million
A Record Year of Generosity
Alumni, parents, students, trustees, faculty, staff and friends surpassed the year’s fundraising goal by more than $5 million.
119% of goal — $5.4 million more than the year set out to raise.
143% of goal — a 4.4% increase over last year.
The 2025-26 fiscal year was an extraordinary time of generosity for Hobart and William Smith. Together, alumni, parents, students, trustees, faculty, staff and friends contributed $33.1 million, surpassing the $27.7 million fundraising goal and marking a period of unprecedented momentum across every area of philanthropy.
The support was broad as well as significant: 5,086 donors contributed during the year, a 4.4% increase over the previous year. Their generosity provided immediate support for today’s students while advancing the long-term priorities that will shape the third century of Hobart and William Smith.
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Leadership giving
9commitments of $1 million or more — the second highest number in the history of Hobart and William Smith.
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Science priorities
$42.1Min commitments toward the sciences, including the Fish Center for the Sciences.
An additional $21M in gifts will fully fund the Fish Center for the Sciences.
“An institution with the history and strength of Hobart and William Smith does not build its future by taking its success for granted. We have a responsibility to steward all that generations before us have created while investing thoughtfully and ambitiously in what comes next. The generosity of our alumni, parents, trustees, students and friends this year is an expression of their confidence.”
President Mark D. Gearan
The HWS Annual Fund
The Annual Fund had its strongest year on record — 34.2% more in dollars than last year, and well past a $3 million goal.
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Record total
$5.3Mraised for the Annual Fund, well above its $3 million goal.
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Year over year
34.2%increase in dollars raised over the previous fiscal year.
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Participation
3,220unique donors gave to the Annual Fund this year.
Where it goes
Annual Fund contributions make an immediate impact, helping support financial aid, academic programs, student opportunities and the day-to-day resources that allow faculty and staff to provide an exceptional educational experience.
Every gift, at every level, is spent in the year it is given.
“The success of this year’s fundraising belongs not to one donor, one class year or one initiative, but to thousands of individuals who chose to participate. Every gift regardless of its size propels HWS forward.”
Jared Weeden ’91Vice President for Advancement
Further Together: The Campaign for Our Third Century
$355 million committed toward a $400 million goal, as of June 30, 2026.
As of June 30, Further Together: The Campaign for Our Third Century had secured $355 million in commitments, including $223 million received in cash, toward the goal of $400 million. Support for the sciences continued to be a significant area of investment.
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Science commitments
$42.1Mcommitted to science priorities, with $16.3 million received in cash.
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Fish Center for the Sciences
$3Mawarded through New York State’s Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program.
“I remain engaged with Hobart and William Smith because it is an authentic training ground for how to build a community — how to teach, learn and care about each other. It’s the realization that each one of us can make a difference individually and collectively in an increasingly complex world.”
Cynthia Gelsthorpe Fish ’82, L.H.D. ’23
Every Class Year, Every Constituency
Reunion classes, young alumni, parents, trustees and current students all stepped forward this year.
Reunion classes
contributed by 1,991 Reunion class donors.
Alumni generosity defined the year.
Trustees
contributed by the Board of Trustees.
Up from $2.4 million in FY25.
Young alumni participation
624 recent graduates gave this year — two percentage points higher than FY25.
HWS Forever — the senior class
173 graduating students made a gift, up from 32% participation in each of the two previous years.
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Parents
$1.6Mgiven by 1,063 parents of current and former students.
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Reunion giving, cumulative
$20.7Mgiven by this year’s Reunion classes since their last milestone Reunions.
“This is what makes the HWS community so special. There is a shared understanding that we all have a role to play. Some gifts make an immediate difference for a student, while others help create the facilities, programs and opportunities that will define HWS for decades.”
Joseph C. Stein III ’86Chair of the Board of Trustees
Gifts That Reach Beyond This Year
Planned gifts, public funding and community partnerships extended the year’s impact well past June 30.
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Planned Gifts
$6.4Min new bequests and other planned giving commitments booked this year.
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Bequests
$31.9Mrealized during the fiscal year.
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Wheeler Society
36new members joined, recognizing those who have included HWS in their estate plans.
New York State budget
for Finger Lakes Institute equipment.
Geneva 2030
in grants supporting Geneva’s children from birth through career.
Thank you
Every gift, regardless of its size, propels Hobart and William Smith forward. Together, these gifts create the momentum that allows us to invest in our students and build for the future.
Make a gift