The Guilford Madness campaign delivered a record-breaking performance, surpassing its 2026 goal as 616 donors contributed $1,286,481 — more than doubling last year’s total and setting a new high for a spring giving campaign at the College.

The total amount raised for Guilford Madness surpassed this year’s goal of $1 million by almost 29% and last year’s Madness total of $585,062 by 120%. 

Also, this year’s spring campaign topped the $1 million raised for Day for Guilford in 2021, which was part of a yearlong Guilford Forward campaign that netted nearly $6.7 million.

“We are very grateful for the generosity of Guilfordians during Guilford Madness, which allowed us to not only meet but exceed our goal and compare favorably to other larger schools during the annual March giving days,” says President Jean Parvin Bordewich. “This outpouring of donations is another indication of the growing momentum for Guilford and its future.”  

Guilford alumni contributed 61% of the total for Guilford Madness this year. Leaders in class giving were members of the class of 1966, who contributed $411,725, and members of the Class of 1976, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation this year, who contributed $139,786.

In other highlights:

• Current and former parents contributed 14 percent of the total, followed by friends (11%), faculty and staff (8%) and students (7%).
• Four hundred sixty-five donors contributed $746,011, or 58% of the total, to the Loyalty Fund, the unrestricted account that helps pay for the College’s most urgent needs. 
• Contributions came from donors from 42 of the 50 states.
• 100% of members of the College’s Board of Trustees and Leadership Team made gifts to Guilford Madness.

The success of the spring giving campaign continued a positive arc for philanthropy at the College, which exceeded expectations last year. That contributed to a balanced FY25 budget, a positive start to FY26 and removal of probation by the College’s accreditor for financial concerns.