From the inauguration of President Daniel G. Lugo and the renewal of historic campus spaces to student success in the classroom, on the playing field, and in the Hartford community, fiscal year 2026 was a year of momentum and possibility at Trinity College.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of alumni, parents, families, and friends, the Trinity College Fund raised $10.5 million in fiscal year 2026, marking the most successful year for annual giving in the College’s history. Significantly, alumni participation increased to 24 percent, bucking the national trend of declining donor participation across higher education.
“Every gift to the College enables us to provide an exceptional educational experience to Trinity students,” said Lugo. “At a time when annual giving is becoming more challenging at the majority of institutions, our community continues to demonstrate its dedication to Trinity and to the promise of our students. I am deeply grateful for the trust our donors have placed in us and for the opportunities their generosity creates for today’s students and future generations of Bantams.”
That generosity is put to work every day through the Trinity College Fund, which provides flexible, unrestricted support for the College’s highest priorities—including financial aid, academic programs, faculty support, student experiences, and emerging opportunities. Every annual gift has an immediate impact across campus.
The Fund’s success also helped anchor a strong year for philanthropy at Trinity. Overall, donors contributed $38.8 million, which includes more than $7 million in bequest intentions and major gifts supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, financial aid, athletics, and campus improvements.
“This has been an extraordinary year for Trinity, and the generosity of our community gives us tremendous confidence as we look ahead,” said Ben Anderson, vice president for advancement. “The success of the Trinity College Fund, together with transformational investments across the College, will create new opportunities for our students and enrich the educational experience that defines Trinity.”
The Trinity College Fund’s historic success was part of a broader story of philanthropic momentum across the College.
The exhibition opening in the Austin Arts Center on September 24 showcases recent works by Studio Arts Program Postbaccalaureate Fellowship alumni Ciara Rubí, Sydney Smith, and Trinity alumna Weixi Zhang ’18.
The HEED Award recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and community-building across all levels of campus life.
August was a time of renovation and restoration at Trinity, as residence halls, classrooms, and athletic fields were improved in anticipation of students returning. As August came to an end, new students began to arrive for Pre-Orientation Programs that took them all across campus and the city of Hartford.
Anthony M. Messina, John R. Reitemeyer Professor of Political Science, Emeritus, has received a 2026 Career Achievement Award from the American Political Science Association’s Section on Migration and Citizenship.
