Private donors, including alumni, corporations and foundations, contributed $39 million to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and its 14 member universities last year.

The total represents a more than $1.5 million increase from the previous year and the second-highest amount in the System’s history.

Alumni remained the largest donor group, contributing more than one-fourth of the total funds raised. About 12 percent of System alumni donated to their alma maters in 2002-03. Among peer institutions, 10 percent of alumni donated to their former schools.

Corporations accounted for 24 percent of the donations to the State System last year, followed by other individuals (22 percent), foundations (13 percent) and organizations (12 percent).

Nearly 40 percent of the donations received were designated for specific uses, either for current projects or programs or to help build the universities’ endowments. Another nearly one-fourth of the funds were donated to support the construction of new campus buildings and the purchase of equipment.

“The continued support for the State System of Higher Education and our 14 universities from alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations is a strong endorsement of our institutions,” said Board of Governors Chairman Charles A. Gomulka. “That support is essential to the continued growth of our System and to help ensure our universities can continue to serve the Commonwealth by providing high-quality, affordable education to all students.”

The combined market value of the universities’ endowments increased by about $3.5 million to $149.6 million. The combined endowment value has nearly tripled over the last eight years.

With more than 104,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 375,000 System alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resources Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.