SUNY Broome Foundation Insights: Foundation, Grants, and Scholarships
Since 1954, the SUNY Broome Foundation has been a cornerstone of student support, providing critical financial assistance and advancing opportunities for success. Over the years, the Foundation has demonstrated growth in its funding initiatives, which reflect its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the SUNY Broome community.
Below is a snapshot of the SUNY Broome Foundation’s annual funding trends across various initiatives, highlighting their impact on student support, capital projects, scholarships, and special programs.
Total Foundation Funding: Total funding has grown steadily, reaching $2,143,590 in 2023-24, demonstrating the Foundation’s increasing capacity to support students, faculty, staff, and programs.
Grants-in-Aid Funding: Unlike merit scholarships, which require students to apply and meet specific criteria—which change depending on the particular scholarship—grants do not require students to complete a separate application. Grants-in-aid funding is awarded to students with financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
Grants-in-aid funding surged to $917,324 in 2023-24, a remarkable increase from prior years, directly aiding students with financial needs.
Capital Project Funding Trends: Capital Projects encompass any long-term College projects (such as improvements to the BC Center, Dental Hygiene equipment, building renovations, etc.) Depending on SUNY Broome’s priorities, improvement plans, and construction needs in a given year, the amount provided by the Foundation will naturally fluctuate.
Capital project funding rose over the last two years, reaching $48,718 in 2023-24, emphasizing the Foundation’s commitment to long-term institutional improvements. In 2023-2024, one of the major capital project improvements was the massive expansion and renovation of The Hornet Hope Center Food Pantry and Clothing Closet. This was due to the Foundation securing a $100,000 grant from Avangrid Foundation, the primary philanthropic arm of NYSEG’s parent company, Avangrid, Inc.
Merit Scholarship Funding Trends: In 2023-24, the Foundation awarded over 500 Scholarships to students who met certain guidelines and requirements for individual awards. Merit scholarship funding grew significantly to $629,171 in 2023-24, rewarding student achievement and furthering academic excellence.
Special Projects and Departmental Grant Funding Trends: The Special Projects and Departmental Grants category is for money that donors have given to support specific programs or projects.
One such special project is the Student Emergency Fund, established during COVID. Close to 600 students have received grants, a total of $453,191.
Funding for special projects and departmental grants remained strong at $441,681 in 2023-24, supporting targeted initiatives. Notably, the Foundation received a substantial $75,000 grant from Lockheed Martin. The grant was for the STEM division for projects such as creating the Engineering Excellence Lab, supporting the electric car initiative, and promoting a micro-credentials program to offer to our veterans.
These upward trends underscore the SUNY Broome Foundation’s efforts to advance education and create meaningful opportunities for students.
Executive Director Cathy Abashian Williams reported, “In 2023-2024, we provided nearly $1.7 million to SUNY Broome students, the most funding we’ve ever awarded in a year. So many opportunities for students, employees, and our campus have been made possible by donor support. To list just a few examples: scholarship support for global service learning experiences, available necessities in the food pantry and clothing closet, and faculty and staff professional development. There are numerous areas where private support not only financially assists students — our primary mission — but gives a little more freedom to SUNY Broome so they can be more and do more and better accomplish their mission of higher education.”
As we celebrate 24 Hours of Giving, we invite you to join this impactful mission. Every contribution strengthens our ability to empower students, reward excellence, and invest in the future of SUNY Broome. Together, we can continue to make a lasting difference. To learn more or to donate, visit the SUNY Broome Foundation website.
SUNY Broome Foundation Insights: Foundation, Grants, and Scholarships (pdf)
Submitted by: Office of Institutional Effectiveness
