College of the Holy Cross Raises $58.1 Million Over Fiscal Year 2022

The College of the Holy Cross raised $58.1 million over fiscal year 2022, making the period its second most successful fundraising year over the past five. Of that figure, $39.3 million was donated by alumni, parents and friends.

For the sixth straight year, alumni, parents and friends contributed over $10 million to the Holy Cross Fund, exceeding the budgeted goal for the tenth consecutive year – giving $11,323,476 for the Fund, and including a record-high of $743,872 raised for the Parents Fund. The Crusader Athletics Fund once again broke records, with 3,608 donors giving $2,490,014 to support student-athletes. Overall, a total of 13,905 donors made gifts to the College, with 10,553 giving consecutively for three years or more. In addition, 53 percent of all gifts (8,027) were less than $100, totaling $449,932.

One particular gift of $2.6 million from T. Eric Galloway ’84 helped establish a new endowed faculty position – the Helen M. Whall Chair in Race, Gender and Social Justice – along with an bi-annual Shakespeare lecture series. 

Realized bequests totaled $4,531,301, and new bequest intentions reached $9,934,070. Of note, Liz and Bob McKay ’55 increased an original bequest intention commitment made in 2021 to establish the College’s largest ever bequest intention of $10.2 million. 

Throughout the year, thousands of alumni and friends were drawn to over 180 programs offered by the College – including virtual gatherings, webinars, regional social events, award programs, career and professional development programs, and alumni-student mentoring opportunities. And with the return of in-person events, thousands more took part in the long-awaited return to Reunion weekends, Fall and Winter Homecoming, the 50th anniversary of the Washington Semester Program, a Commencement celebration for the Class of 2020 and Inauguration festivities for Vincent D. Rougeau, 33rd president of Holy Cross.

"Our alumni programming came back strong this year," said Tracy Barlok, vice president of advancement. "People were thrilled to get back together, whether at special events around the country or, especially, on campus. Personally reconnecting with friends, classmates and the College itself was a huge theme, as was continued engagement through our virtual events. Once again, the Crusader spirit was rampant. We are deeply grateful for the level of enthusiasm, generosity and loyalty demonstrated by the Holy Cross family. And we’re especially grateful to our volunteers – as always, their engagement and efforts have been inspiring."

The College continued to see strong support from foundations, including a significant grant from  the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in support of projects promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM programs. The College also received a grant from the Council for Library and Information Resources, enabling the library to conserve a significant Deaf Catholic Archives collection. In total, nearly $700,000 was raised. 

Reunion classes raised $3,156,749 for the Holy Cross Fund. The class of 1967 broke a record raising $450,205 for the Holy Cross Fund, and the class of 1982 broke two records raising $655,250 for the Holy Cross Fund and $6,276,931 overall. 

The College’s annual Power of Purple giving day was especially successful this year, raising a record $1,474,475 in 24 hours from a total of 5,361 donors. With $600,000 in matching dollars from Trustee donors, the total raised for the College was $2,074,475. 

A significant highlight of the year was the completion of the College’s Hope + Access Campaign for Financial Aid. This 18-month long effort was a spectacular success, creating 90 new endowed scholarships and raising $56,312,354 – fully 40 percent more than the campaign goal of $40 million. 

"This year’s level of giving and engagement reveals the depth of commitment in what we do at Holy Cross," said President Vincent D. Rougeau. "Above all, the College community understands and embraces our mission. Our alumni, parents and friends believe in supporting our students through every step of their Holy Cross experience. Each gift helps another Holy Cross student achieve and succeed, and each gift is a sign of faith in our vision for the future. We are eternally grateful for this confidence, trust and support."