Dukes’ FY25 giving surges by $4 million

$32.8 million is second-highest ever as JMU enters new era

Charitable giving from 26,293 Dukes surged to $32.8 million in fiscal year 2025, topping 2024 by more than $4 million. Last year’s total was the second-highest in JMU history outside of a campaign for the third year in a row. Fiscal year 2025 also climbed close to the Unleashed campaign’s final year total of $33.5 million.

The JMU Foundation, meanwhile, has reported that the endowment’s market value stands at $181 million, thanks in part to a 14% return on its portfolio investment. The endowment’s value has grown 47% from $123.4 million in 2022.

“This year it’s incredibly meaningful to see giving escalate, as Dukes channel their investments into the campus passions that matter most to them: libraries, education, veterans and families, scholarships, athletics, faculty innovation, and so much more,” said Nick Langridge (’00, ’07M, ’14Ph.D.), vice president for philanthropy and engagement.

News of Dukes’ FY2025 generosity coincides with the arrival of JMU’s seventh president, Dr. James C. Schmidt. He said he plans to spend 25% of his time focused on philanthropy, as JMU looks ahead to its third comprehensive campaign. Schmidt has been on the road meeting with donors and business leaders during the first months of his leadership and will be getting to know alumni, parents, donors, and friends on his upcoming Presidential Tour.

“We are excited to welcome a president who is entrepreneurial in his leadership and brings to JMU an extensive background in philanthropy,” said Langridge. “This nexus of bold presidential leadership and rising alumni generosity is a powerful sign for the future.”

Bringing the "new" Carrier Library to life

The “new” Carrier Library remained a top giving priority last year, with historical giving reaching nearly $4.5 million toward achieving an elevated goal of $5 million by the grand reopening in Fall 2026.

Stan (’54) and Rosemary Jones made the lead library gift last year with a $2.5 million investment. Carrier’s new Jones Wing will welcome generations of future Dukes through its wide, glass Grace Street doors into what will ultimately become the intellectual and literal crossroads of campus. Stan, who died in July, spent much of his Madison Experience in the library.

More donors are also naming spaces that hold special meaning. Their generosity will help enhance the learning experience of all Dukes by supporting Carrier and the campus library system.

With JMU competing against national universities and colleges for top students, Carrier remains a vital priority. Libraries are the No. 1 campus space students and professors assess when choosing the university right for them.

Giving from the heart at all level

Generous individuals stepped forward with a record 185 commitments ranging from $25,000 to $2.5 million, totaling more than $14.7 million toward their giving passions across campus.

Contributing to the fiscal 2025 giving surge, 28 of those gifts were at the $100,000 level compared to 19 in FY2024, and six gifts were at $500,000 compared to two in FY2024. Five $1 million gifts and one $2.5 million gift were made in FY2025.

Dukes also made a collective impact by giving with their hearts with more modest gifts. More than 18,000 gifts of $150 or under accounted for more than $1 million. More than $3.3 million came from 24,972 gifts of $1,000 or less.

Athletics giving reaches $5 million

Of the $32.8 million in total giving last year, Athletics’ charitable giving and commitments totaled more than $5 million from almost 10,700 donors.

During this time, JMU captured its first Sun Belt women’s soccer championship, first American Athletic Conference lacrosse title and second-straight Sun Belt swimming and diving title. The Dukes won their first bowl game by beating Western Kentucky 27-17 in the Boca Raton Bowl. They also captured regular-season championships in women’s soccer, field hockey, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and lacrosse.

Overall, JMU celebrated a .548 winning percentage across all sports, a 90% NCAA graduation success rate and a 3.232 department GPA.