College surpasses $10 million fundraising goal by June 30

Posted on July 01, 2016 by Staff Writer

Sweet Briar has ended the fiscal year on a jubilant note, wrapping up an intensive few weeks to meet an ambitious fundraising goal of $10 million — in less than six months.

While the total amount raised isn’t yet known as donations are still being counted, it became clear by midday June 30 that the alumnae relations and development team would be celebrating at 5 p.m. The $10 million goal is part of a special initiative called Next is NOW to raise a total of $30 million in two years.

This accelerated fundraising pace is meant to help make up the cost of the College nearly closing one year ago. The Next is NOW initiative was launched in the fall 2015 semester, but did not get fully underway until January.

In a video message to the campus community expressing his gratitude, President Phil Stone described what has been accomplished in the past year as a “series of miracles.”

Among them, he says, was the “ability to raise money when they said it couldn’t be done. … What you have done has been remarkable and I just want to tell you how much I appreciate it.”

See the full video here.