Originally established in 1944 with a sole focus on supporting athletics, the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation has evolved significantly. In 1999 we merged with the Academy’s Endowment Trust and officially became what we are today—the Naval Academy Foundation, led by a Board of Directors, along with the Athletic and Scholarship Programs (A&SP) division led by the Trustees. This year, we are proud to celebrate 25 years of the Foundation as we know it today. 

In the years leading up to the merger, it was clear from leadership and the alumni community that we needed a more comprehensive fundraising program. Today’s Foundation proudly continues its mission, enhancing all aspects of the Academy experience – from athletics and academics to leadership programs and our Alumni Association community. 

Join us as we celebrate this milestone and look back on a quarter-century of impactful contributions totaling more than $1.2 billion that have transformed both the Naval Academy and the Alumni Association and Foundation.   

“As the world has gotten smaller and the challenges greater since my days as a midshipman, it is imperative that we provide our future leaders with the finest education and experience possible in the four years they spend in Annapolis,” Jerrold L. Miller ’77, Vice Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors, said. “While the Government has always sustained the Naval Academy to a set of prescribed standards, the Foundation exists to create and maintain a margin of excellence at the Academy. This margin of excellence impacts every aspect of the Academy’s mission, and I’ve been privileged to participate in and witness the differences that this additional funding has made over the last 25 years.” 

Around the time we began our journey, we also launched our first official campaign—Leaders to Serve the Nation. This effort not only established the Foundation as a vital entity in supporting the Academy, but also proved that alumni and friends would invest philanthropic support in the Academy to provide funding that enhanced academic programs and facilities, such as the first phase of improvements to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the creation of the Brigade Sports Complex. 

Our second philanthropic campaign—Called to Serve, Daring to Lead: The Naval Academy Campaign—helped the Foundation reach a new landmark in fundraising for the Academy. The campaign, which began in 2014, concluded in 2021 and raised $541 million in support of new majors such as Cyber Operations, the construction of Hopper Hall, Akerson Tower at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, and the new Fluegel Alumni Center. 

The campaign also raised money to enhance the midshipman experience inside and outside the classroom including international programs and the Class of 1963 Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), endowed by J. Ronald Terwilliger ’63 and Classmates. 

“Twenty-five years ago our leadership asked if we could first, successfully raise funds for a federally supported institution, and if so, would philanthropy make an impact?” Dr. William J. O’Connor, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of the Foundation. “Twenty-five years and $1.2 billion later, we can see the impact philanthropy has made on thousands of midshipmen in every facet of their Academy experience." 

Because the Naval Academy is a federally funded educational institution, it cannot garner direct support from donors. Foundation staff work regularly with alumni and donors on efforts such as creating unique naming opportunities that will propel the experience of our midshipmen and ensure they graduate as leaders ready to serve. The Alumni Association portion of the enterprise focuses on supporting alumni through events, programs and networking opportunities. 

The history of our organization and success of our past efforts have set the stage for our future. We’re striving for something bolder and more impactful. At the root of everything is truly a larger focus—leadership.