Donor Recognition

Annual Donor Report

The Cooper Union publishes an Annual Donor Report for distribution to the College community. This is a public thank you to all those individuals and organizations who have given in a variety of ways to the institution in the previous fiscal year, a venue for The Cooper Union to express its gratitude.

Lifetime Giving Societies

Peter Cooper Heritage Society
Established to recognize The Cooper Union's most generous benefactors, The Peter Cooper Heritage Society celebrates the philanthropic spirit that perpetuates this institution. Individuals and families who, over the course of their lives, have donated $1 million or more to The Cooper Union are inducted into the Society. The college is grateful for the exceptional generosity shown by these patrons, which supports the institution's enduring commitment to academic excellence, public access to intellectual and cultural opportunities, and full-tuition scholarships for all admitted students.

Sarah Bedell Cooper Society
Sarah Bedell Cooper (1793-1869), Peter Cooper's wife, was instrumental in establishing a "Golden Wedding Fund" on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary to support charities. The Sarah Bedell Cooper Society celebrates her commitment to The Cooper Union, as well as her strong philanthropic spirit and initiative. The Society honors the individuals and families who, over the course of their lives, have donated $500,000-$999,999 to The Cooper Union. Their support helps sustain the college's mission — to provide an education that is "as free as air and water" to talented and deserving students, regardless of means.

Abram S. Hewitt Society
Abram S. Hewitt (1822-1903) was a teacher, lawyer, iron manufacturer, U.S. Congressman, and mayor of New York City. He was also Peter Cooper's son-in-law and Cooper Union's most important founding trustee. The Abram S. Hewitt Society honors individuals and families who over the course of their lives have donated $250,000-$499,999 to The Cooper Union. The far-sighted philanthropy of these donors helps ensure that this institution will continue to educate and enrich the lives of exceptional students for generations to come.

Sarah Amelia Hewitt Society
Sarah Amelia Hewitt (1830-1912), daughter of Peter Cooper, married Abram S. Hewitt in 1855, and together they were influential in the world of public service. Sarah Amelia shared her husband's dedication, as an economic and civil leader, to uncompromising excellence and access to education. The Sarah Amelia Hewitt Society has been created to celebrate the many individuals and families whose lifetime support of The Cooper Union has reached $100,000 or more. Their generosity and commitment to The Cooper Union's mission have made possible the institution's enduring dedication to academic excellence, to public access to intellectual and cultural opportunities and to the college's hallmark tradition of awarding a full-tuition scholarship to every admitted student.

Society of 1859
The Society of 1859 is designed to recognize and honor benefactors who have made enduring gifts by including The Cooper Union in their financial or estate plans. Through their commitment, they help make certain that the college will have financial resources sufficient to ensure its continued ability to provide full-tuition scholarships for all admitted students. Their permanent gifts and provisions for the college sustain the values of excellence and opportunity set forth in 1859 by Peter Cooper.

For more information about these societies, please contact Michael Governor at (212)353-4172 or govern@cooper.edu.

Building Fund Naming Opportunities

The Cooper Union honors the exceptional generosity of donors who make gifts of $75,000 or more to support the College's facilities by naming spaces for them on The Cooper Union campus, in 41 Cooper Square or the Foundation Building. The name may be that of the donor, a family member or some other person whom the donor wishes to recognize, creating a lasting legacy, while addressing a vital need.

The extraordinary spaces available for underwriting include art studios, classrooms, conference rooms, faculty offices, research laboratories, study lounges and other special-purpose rooms and open areas. Click here to explore the floorplans of 41 Cooper Square or the Foundation Building.

To learn more about naming opportunities in 41 Cooper Square and the Foundation Building, please contact Deborah Lipton at (212) 353-4107 or dlipton@cooper.edu.

All donors who have made gifts of $25,000 or more to the Building Fund through June 30, 2009 are acknowledged on the Donor Walk in 41 Cooper Square, a dramatic staircase originating in the building’s expansive, 22-foot-high lobby, from which hang panels with their names.

In addition, the Alumni Roof Terrace on the eighth floor of 41 Cooper Square provides rare, outdoor urban space that spectacularly overlooks the Foundation Building and historic Cooper Square. The terrace bears the engraved names of alumni and their families who have contributed $2,500-$20,000 to the new academic building. The Alumni Roof Terrace is currently closed to new names. To have your name added to the wait list, please email cubuilds@cooper.edu.

Acknowledgements

The Cooper Union sends letters of acknowledgement and thanks to all of its donors and includes tax language for gifts at or above $250. Named funds generate reports on an annual basis. Student thank you letters and faculty reports are included as applicable and available. Our letters focus on how the donation has been used to further the mission of the College.