For 40 years, Anne Pilsbury has helped immigrants pursue safety, stability and a fair chance to build new lives in New York through Central American Legal Assistance, the nonprofit she founded in 1986.
But when she was looking to make a significant philanthropic donation last spring, she looked to the City University of New York, despite having no prior affiliation with the system.
“I chose CUNY because it is New York’s great gateway to education and upward mobility. I wanted to help provide students with opportunities their parents never had,” said Pilsbury, whose $2 million donation will fund scholarships for first-generation students from all backgrounds.
Throughout her career as an immigration attorney, Pilsbury has worked alongside CUNY graduates and come to understand the profound impact that higher education can have and the doors it can open for individuals and their families. She has also met many talented young people whose families lacked the resources to make college a reality.
For Pilsbury, the impact of CUNY extends beyond opportunity. It is also about preparing the next generation to participate fully in society. “Higher education is more important now than ever, not only for economic mobility but because of the need for civic literacy,” she said. “Young people need an education in government, due process and what it means to live in a country governed by the rule of law.”
Her gift is more than an act of generosity to help individual students; it is an investment in CUNY’s public mission and in the future of New York. As New Yorkers, we all benefit from the impact of a strong public university system. CUNY serves more than 400,000 degree-seeking and continuing education students, many who are balancing their studies with jobs, family responsibilities and other demands. CUNY graduates form the backbone of the city, pursuing careers in vital sectors such as nursing, education, software engineering, and emergency services.
Like Pilsbury, others have seen the value that CUNY brings to our society and were motivated to support our mission. Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has given a total of $130 million to CUNY across five campuses since 2020, including $80 million to Lehman College. The donations have put CUNY in league with other institutions and organizations recognized by Scott’s foundation for their great effectiveness in promoting equity.
Pilsbury hopes her gift may set an example that others will follow. “Expanding access to higher education benefits the whole city,” she said. “We should all be doing it.”
Matos Rodríguez is the chancellor of The City University of New York (CUNY), the largest urban public university system in the United States.
