The financial support Holy Cross received over the last year from alumni, parents and friends has not only set new standards. This successful year is also an indication that the entire Holy Cross community shares in the commitment to educate men and women who will make a positive difference in our world.
Tracy Barlok, vice president for development and alumni relations, reported on the end-of-year success and reflected on its meaning and impact.
“The College’s banner year included a total of $26 million in gifts including a record-breaking year for the Holy Cross Fund, finishing at just over $9.3 million,” she said. “Alumni participated in giving at a rate of 53 percent, the seventh year in a row that donor participation was above 50 percent. Only a handful of colleges have participation rates of more than 50 percent — the gold standard for development programs."
“The College is indebted to its volunteers who work year in and year out, reaching out to their classmates.”
She said another cause for celebration is the record-setting pledge to Holy Cross from Cornelius B. Prior Jr. ’56. His $25 million gift will be used to enhance the arts and is the single largest commitment in the history of the College. She also pointed to the endorsement of the Mellon Foundation, which granted $600,000 to the College to support initiatives aimed at systematically embedding the arts into the liberal arts experience. Furthermore, Holy Cross was selected from more than 100 private colleges in the Northeast to receive the $500,000 Excellence in Career Related Undergraduate Education Award from the Alden Trust, which recognizes excellence in retaining, educating, graduating and placing students.
Holy Cross received $3.4 million in realized bequests, which funded scholarships and professorships, and four reunion classes broke records: 1953, 1963, 1973 and 1983. Holy Cross parents gave $1.6 million. The Crusader Athletics Fund increased by 37 percent over the last year, finishing at $987,000.
Barlok said: “At this time of year, it’s important to thank all of our alumni, parents, and friends who so generously supported the College this year. You are one of our greatest assets. Because of you, Holy Cross is strengthened and empowered in its mission. We are deeply grateful for your shared commitment to this effort and we are excited and energized by what the College is accomplishing.”
She also noted that Holy Cross alumni reconnected with the College and each other at more than 200 alumni events across the country, including affinity group, career, regional club, community service and Alumni Association programs.
“The extraordinary spirit and love that Crusaders have for Holy Cross is evident once again in the success of the College’s advancement efforts,” says Barlok.
Related Information:
Holy Cross Fund Has Record-Breaking Year, Raising Over $9.3 Million
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