Charitable donations to Binghamton University have been increasing and have grown by nearly one million dollars in the past year.

BU received $7.57 million in total giving during the 2014-2015 fiscal year, which is an increase from the $6.43 million reported during the previous year.

The additional donations can be attributed to many factors, including BU’s growing alumni base and increased outreach efforts by the University itself, such as alumni networking events, telefunding and soliciting donations from companies.

Among those leading the outreach efforts is Jim Broschart, the University’s vice president for advancement. The Division of Advancement is responsible for alumni outreach and many of the major annual fundraising efforts of the University. According to him, donations are a vital part of increasing BU’s national reputation.

“Philanthropy creates the margin of excellence that separates great institutions from good ones,” Broschart wrote in an email. “Philanthropy creates the environment for excellence in that it allows University leadership to create new or strengthen existing programs for students and faculty.”

People who give money are allowed to donate funds to be used for a predetermined program, which is the most common form of donation, but general donations are also received. The charitable donations collected by the University are used for a wide variety of programs, including funding scholarships, building enhancements and new academic programs, according to Broschart.

“Just as the strategic priorities outlined in The Roadmap to Premier drive the direction of Binghamton University, our future fundraising initiatives will remain in sync with the Roadmap,” Broschart wrote in an email.

According to Broschart, about 40 percent of the money given to BU comes directly from alumni. Another 20 percent comes from friends, parents and currently matriculated students. The remaining 40 percent is divided up between foundations, corporations and corporate matching gifts. Senior giving asks graduating seniors for a donation; 7.5 percent of the class of 2014 made donations, the class of 2015 had 12 percent participation and the class of 2016 reached a set goal of 14.5 percent participation.

Binghamton University’s alumni donation rates are still slightly below the national average of other public research universities. In terms of total funds raised, the disparity is even greater. Other New York schools generally report significantly larger totals for charitable donations. Stony Brook University’s 2014-15 number was $71,089,622 and University at Albany’s was $12,565,057.

While Broschart said BU may lag behind comparable schools in terms of donations, he said he sees a lot of potential for growth in the coming years.

“While we don’t expect to grow at this rate every year, we do plan for philanthropic gifts to Binghamton to increase by another $1.1 million this fiscal year,” Broschart wrote. “We know our alumni care deeply about Binghamton University. Thus, we think we can do better and have lofty goals to double our fundraising results by 2020.”

Binghamton University students express a variety of attitudes toward the idea of giving back to the University after graduation. While some students say they are open to the idea, many see themselves with different goals immediately following graduation.

“Maybe I would consider donating after my thousands of dollars of debt are paid off,” said Nikki Laird, a junior majoring in business administration. “But until then, I wouldn’t even think about it.”