Challenge By Global Marketing Firm Founder J.D. Power Fuels Participation in Holy Cross Fund

More than 55 percent of alumni at the College of the Holy Cross made a gift to the College this year, exceeding the goal and surpassing last year’s total of 53 percent.  The increase — achieved in response to a challenge by Worcester native J.D. “Dave” Power III ’53, founder of the global marketing information firm J.D. Power and Associates — advances Holy Cross’ alumni giving rate to among the top 10 in the country.

Power established the J.D. Power Challenge last fall, pledging $500,000 to establish paid internships for Holy Cross students in Worcester-area organizations if alumni participated at a rate of at least 55 percent.  His endowed gift will fund up to four J.D. Power Interns each summer at Greater Worcester businesses, social service agencies and religiously affiliated organizations.

“The consistently high giving rate of Holy Cross alumni is a reflection of their passionate loyalty and love for their alma mater and their gratitude for the exceptional education and personal formation they received here,” said Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president of the College.  “Dave Power’s generous challenge gift, along with the hard work of our dedicated staff and volunteers, has helped galvanize that support even further to produce a giving rate that is among the best in the country.  Moreover, his generosity will allow more Holy Cross students to have meaningful and challenging internship experiences in Worcester.”

J.D. Power Internships will be an integral part of the Holy Cross Summer Internship Program, which was established in 2000.  Made possible through a network of Holy Cross alumni, parents and friends, it is a competitive program that provides students with an opportunity to gain meaningful career-related experience while making an impact on the community.  This summer nearly 20 percent of the 134 students in the program are working at organizations in Greater Worcester. Power’s gift will increase that number, allowing more students the opportunity to participate in paid summer internships in Worcester.

Also critical to the success of the J.D. Power Challenge, was the participation of young alumni (1998 – 2007) who gave at a rate of 52% — a figure that eclipses the national high for graduates of the last decade which normally hovers in the mid-40s.

“We are grateful for the commitment we received from recent graduates, who we know face competing demands on their paychecks.  Their support of the J.D. Power Challenge is truly a testament to how much they value their Holy Cross education—and their unprecedented response will ensure future classes have the same meaningful opportunities and experiences during their time here,” said Gary Carskaddan, director of the Holy Cross Fund.

A record number of alumni donors (16,363) contributed to the College this year.  A total of $26.6 million was donated by alumni, parents and friends; $7.8 million of which was through the Holy Cross Fund, the annual giving program in which most donors participate.  Gifts through the Fund provide essential funding for current and ongoing expenses including: financial aid, library books and periodicals, faculty resources, athletics, and maintenance of facilities — all critical to providing students with Holy Cross’ unique undergraduate liberal arts education, rooted in the Jesuit tradition.