Lifetime Giving Societies

Cooper Union Stock Photo

The Cooper Union established its Lifetime Giving Societies to recognize our most generous benefactors and to honor the philanthropic spirit that sustains the college. 

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 and public access to intellectual and cultural opportunities.

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 Peter Cooper's mission.

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.

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.  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 Donna Lippman at (212) 353-4172 or dlippman@cooper.edu.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.