Fordham made the exclusive list, which was published in the Nov. 1 issue of the biweekly trade newspaper, based on gifts received the previous fiscal year, which totaled $47,670,455 in private support for the year ending June 30, 2006, a 49.8 percent increase over 2005.

“It is very gratifying to see Fordham University on the list,” said Albert Checcio, vice president for development and university relations. “I view this as a result of the efforts of the entire University community in this critical endeavor. We’re pleased to have finally made the list, and with the support of our alumni and friends, we plan to stay there.”

In order to be included in this year’s Philanthropy 400, nonprofit groups needed to raise at least $42 million from private sources within the United States, an amount higher than the previous year’s $37.7 million.

Overall, the survey found that donations to the largest charities grew by 4.3 percent last year, to $67.5 billion. The amount was smaller than in years past, but colleges and other educational institutions outstripped the overall average by racking up an 11.3 percent increase in donations.

“It is very gratifying to see Fordham University on the list,” said Albert Checcio, vice president for development and university relations. “I view this as a result of the efforts of the entire University community in this critical endeavor. We’re pleased to have finally made the list, and with the support of our alumni and friends, we plan to stay there.”