Brandeis University achieves record-breaking fundraising year

Brandeis Stories

Brandeis University achieves record-breaking fundraising year

$138 million provides support for students, faculty and campus life

By Judy Jaeger
August 26, 2026

Brandeis University raised $138 million in fiscal year 2026 - the highest amount ever in a single year - to support its mission to deliver an education that's as rigorous as it is relevant as part of the Brandeis Plan to Reinvent the Liberal Arts. Marked by historic gifts and widespread participation, this achievement comes as Brandeis prepares for the public launch of a new fundraising initiative, "The Brandeis Promise: From the Classroom to the Street," in October.

"This remarkable success reflects our community's confidence in the Brandeis mission and its innovative plan to reinvent the liberal arts," says Ronald Ratner '69, trustee who has been serving as campaign co-chair during the leadership phase. "We're deeply grateful to the alumni, parents and friends who've already stepped forward to fulfill the promise of the Brandeis Plan to integrate academic rigor and career readiness, to educate our students with one foot in the classroom and one foot in the street and prepare them to lead in a world of constant change."

Driving the momentum of the historic fundraising year was a gift from trustee Karen Richards Sachs '83 and her husband David A. Sachs of $25 million - the largest single alumni gift in Brandeis history. Announced over the 2026 Commencement weekend, their gift honors Sachs' mother, Dorothy "Dot" Richards, P'83, and reinforces the university's investment in the campus and in the student experience.

The gift will reshape the student living, learning, and social experience across campus, creating new spaces for student connection and expanding programming to encourage engagement. At the heart of the gift is the Dorothy Richards Campus Commons, known as "The Dot," a new hub adjacent to the new residence hall complex currently under construction. Designed to bring students together through shared space, the Commons will be an open and accessible destination for the entire student community.

Another significant gift came from Marc Better, PhD'82. Better, with his partner Thomas Baker, made a $10 million commitment to Brandeis. The funds are unrestricted, which gives the university the flexibility to use them wherever they are needed most.

In addition to these investments in campus infrastructure, student life, and areas of greatest need, Brandeis received the largest number of transformational investments in a single year: 25 gifts of $1 million or more, including four gifts of $10 million.

"Philanthropy has played an essential role in enabling me to become a historian of the Jewish people. Grants supported my graduate education and research, and my position at Brandeis was made possible by the generosity of the Lavine family," says Flora Cassen, the inaugural Lavine Family Director of the Brandeis Center for Jewish Studies and Director of the Sarnat Center for the Study of Anti-Jewishness at Brandeis. "This year, support from the Korman family has extended that impact beyond my own teaching and research to helping to train young PhDs to teach Jewish studies at universities across the country. An investment in one scholar can ultimately shape the education of thousands of students."

This year's remarkable level of transformational philanthropy is fueling positive impact on all areas of the university:

• $80 million supports programs and initiatives across the university with current-use funds.
• $20 million will enhance the campus community.
• $13.5 million in flexible cash gifts will support access, opportunity, and innovation across the university through the Brandeis Fund.

"My donor-funded scholarship made it possible for me to attend Brandeis and fully pursue my education," says Nataly Dubovskaya '26. "Knowing that someone believed in and supported my academic journey has been incredibly motivating. It inspires me to give back to my community and, in the future, contribute to helping others achieve their educational goals."

The generosity exhibited this year represents participation by the full spectrum of the Brandeis community:

• More than 4,000 alumni
• 1,000 parents and families
• 4,000 Brandeis National Committee members
• And nearly 2,000 friends

"This broad show of support demonstrates the Brandeis community's confidence in the university's model for reinventing the liberal arts and for Brandeis' future as a leader in higher education," Ratner says. "Every day, we are honored and inspired by the commitment and generosity of our alumni, parents, and friends."