Alumnae, faculty, staff, and friends of Meredith College played a vital role in supporting students over the past fiscal year. Through both financial contributions and volunteer service, they demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing every aspect of campus life. Donor gifts supported scholarships, hands-on learning opportunities, facility enhancements, and more – helping to enrich the Meredith student experience. The College extends its deep gratitude to all who contributed to these efforts.

For the fiscal year 2024-25, the total raised in major gifts ($25,000 or more), annual gifts, and planned gifts was $15,464,743. This amount surpassed the fundraising goal of $10 million. 

“Over the past year, the outpouring of support from our alumnae and friends has been remarkable,” said Lennie Barton, vice president for institutional advancement. “Each gift moves the College forward and helps students have the best Meredith experience possible. We appreciate each donor and that they believe enough in the mission of the College to give what they can to continue our culture of philanthropy.”

In this historic fundraising year, 97 major gifts, 19 new endowments, and 19 new planned gifts were established. An endowment generates earnings each year to be spent in a way chosen by the donor, and the endowment’s principal remains untouched. In this way, endowments continue to support Meredith College in perpetuity, strengthening the College’s future. The 19 new planned gifts have a value of $6,233,837, and the total lifetime planned giving is $72,647,191.

The Meredith Fund, our annual giving program, raised $2,848,871 in 2024-25. Gifts supported Meredith’s Greatest Needs, scholarships, athletics, study abroad, student programming, and more.

• 4,759 donors
• 2,762 Onyx Society donors (3+ consecutive years of giving)
• $922,751 was raised for Meredith’s Greatest Needs, a fund that provides budget relief and enables the College to allocate funds to pressing needs.
• Make It Count for Meredith Giving Day on February 25 raised $1,634,211 from 2,706 donors in 24 hours.
• The Parents and Families Project raised $28,890 to fund security enhancements.
• The Class of 2025 raised $4,442 for a daisy garden to be used for future campus traditions.
• The Class of 1975 50th Reunion Project raised $251,038 for their Chaplain’s Fund Endowment, which provides emergency assistance to students.
• Faculty and Staff giving participation was 66%.

“We are truly grateful for the annual gifts from alumnae, faculty, staff, parents, students, and friends during the 2024-25 fiscal year,” said Jean Gambrill, director of the Meredith Fund. “Our donors’ passionate support advances Meredith’s mission and creates exceptional opportunities for students. We celebrate the loyalty of longtime supporters as well as the generosity of those who made their first gift to the College.”

Stay Connected with the Alumnae Association

During the 2024-25 academic year, the Office of Alumnae Relations coordinated 120 events with over 5,000 attendees from 38 states, two countries, and 78 different class years. The goal of each unique event is to allow alumnae to reconnect, meet new people, and learn something about the College.

• Eight welcome events for President Aimee Sapp were held.
• The Meredith Mentors platform increased to 2,161 users.
• The Alumnae Owned Business Directory has grown to 128 companies.
• Angel Adventures, the alumnae travel program, included three trips with 88 travelers.
• 26 student events

Student Initiatives

There were 26 student events hosted by the Alumnae Association to support them, give them a skill, or teach them about life after Meredith. The 1891 Club, a student philanthropy organization, grew its membership to 194 students. This organization is devoted to helping current students prepare for lifelong relationships with the College as partners, advocates, and investors

Welcoming the Meredith Class of 2029 with 11 Senior Welcome events was important to the admissions strategy this year. The Office of Alumnae Relations held events in Raleigh, Goldsboro, Clinton, Rocky Mount, Wake Forest, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Greensboro, Sanford, Winston-Salem, and Henderson.

The Year Ahead

The Office of Institutional Advancement hopes that you will stay connected to Meredith. There are so many ways. Visit meredith.edu or meredith.edu/support to see the latest news and events. Read your Meredith Magazine and the Lux e-newsletter, and follow Meredith on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Threads. Visit meredith.edu/alumnae to learn about events and to join online resources.