Sweet Briar raises $14 million in 125th year

Sweet Briar College raised $14,055,476 in fiscal 2025-2026, topping its annual giving goal and funding scholarships, academics, and campus projects during its 125th anniversary year. The total also supported planned giving, campaign priorities, and student outcomes as the college looks ahead to another academic year.

Why it matters: - Sweet Briar’s fundraising supports scholarships, academic programs, faculty development, and experiential learning for current students. - The money also helps fund major campus projects and preserve the college’s distinctive facilities as Sweet Briar enters its next 125 years.

What happened: - Sweet Briar College finished its 2025-2026 fiscal year on June 30, 2026, with $14,055,476 raised. - The college also launched celebrations for its 125th anniversary during the same fiscal year. - Donors included alumnae, friends, corporations, and foundations. - Sweet Briar exceeded its $5.5 million goal for the Sweet Briar Fund by raising $6,143,720.

The details: - Restricted gifts and grants, capital and endowment contributions, and trust distributions totaled $2,269,468. - Unrestricted and restricted realized bequests added $521,424 in planned gifts. - Campaign gifts totaled $5,120,864. - Those campaign dollars provided partial funding for the Honors Program and an electrical system upgrade. - Campaign support will also help future projects including the rehabilitation of Gray Hall and the renovation of Guion Science Center. - In May 2026, 106 of Sweet Briar’s newest alumnae graduated. - On Commencement day, 80% of those graduates had a job or had committed to graduate school. - Students across the college attended lectures by speakers including Melissa Sevigny, Sharon Liebetreu, Ann Butler, Dr. Leah Spangler, Verda Colvin ’87, David Beasley, and Anita McBride. - The community also saw a Richmond Symphony Orchestra performance, the implementation of the college’s land acknowledgement, and a ceremony honoring the Monacan Indian Nation at Founders’ Day. - Other campus events included the Eras exhibition, the Women’s Leadership Forum in Agriculture, the return of Vixen volleyball, Charter Day celebrations for the 125th anniversary, a national bladesmithing competition with honorable mention recognition, and the Virginia Forum. - Sweet Briar Farm wines won medals in the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup. - The college debuted “sip and savor” wine events during the fiscal year. - Sweet Briar hosted Amherst County Day and held its Summer Arts & Writing Retreat for the third year.

Between the lines: - The fundraising mix shows support from annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and campaign funding rather than reliance on a single source. - The 80% graduate outcome on Commencement day suggests strong near-term career and graduate-school placement for the class of 2026. - Anniversary-year programming and campus events appear aimed at reinforcing Sweet Briar’s identity, visibility, and donor engagement.

What's next: - President Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83 said the college is eager to welcome new and returning students in August and begin another academic year. - Sweet Briar said philanthropic support will continue to fund scholarships, undergraduate research, academic programs, experiential learning, and campus preservation. - Prospective students are encouraged to learn more at admissions information or by contacting admissions@sbc.edu.