Holy Cross Fund Surpasses $10 Million for First Time in History

More donors, more dollars, more love. Holy Cross broke fundraising records in almost every category this past fiscal year, underscoring the community’s deep affection for the College and unwavering commitment to its priorities.

For the first time in history, the Holy Cross Fund surpassed $10 million — an achievement made possible by a record number of donors who made gifts.

“For the eleventh consecutive year, alumni gave at a rate of 50 percent or more,” said Vice President for Advancement Tracy W. Barlok P19. “We are filled with gratitude for the remarkable love our community demonstrates each year, and for its help in providing our students with a uniquely powerful Jesuit liberal arts education.”

A highlight of the record-breaking year unfolded on Valentine’s Day, when the “I Love HC” giving challenge set a record among liberal arts colleges for the number of donors in a 24-hour period.

Continuing the record-setting trend, the Crusader Athletics Fund made history by surpassing $2 million for the first time. That milestone included the generosity of 57 percent of former student-athletes who made gifts — placing Holy Cross first in the Patriot League in this category — as well as 100 percent of scholar athletes in the class of 2017 and 100 percent of head coaches and senior administrators.

And as a sign of the esteem in which Holy Cross parents hold their students’ experience, the Senior Parent Gift reached its highest level of participation in College history — at 40 percent — and raised just over $1 million.

Membership in the President’s Council increased this year helping to set a new membership record at 1,628 donors. All gifts from President’s Council members totaled $33.5 million.

The Holy Cross Leadership Council of New York, which honored former trustee Bill Doran ’77, P16, was a dazzling success. A record-breaking 497 guests attended and $635,087 was raised in support of student internships.

Many alumni, parents and friends chose to provide for the future of Holy Cross through planned and estate gifts. The number of IRA gifts to the College increased by 104 percent and 189 percent in dollars over last year. There was a substantial increase in Life Income Gifts over last year, reflecting a growing trend among donors establishing six and seven-figure charitable gift annuities. Holy Cross received $2,639,716 in realized bequests from 19 estates.

The Become More Campaign continued to progress ahead of schedule. With new commitments to support the capital projects on campus, academic programs, financial aid, faculty excellence, faith initiatives, athletics and more, the campaign total stands at $286.5 million, 71 percent to goal. In this year alone the community gave $42,828,843 in gifts to Holy Cross.

During the past year, thousands of alumni gathered at more than 250 events and programs around the world, particularly an eventful Veterans’ Day weekend in New York that included a President’s Council event aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and the Ram-Crusader Cup football game in Yankee Stadium.

“All of these achievements reflect the immense loyalty, dedication and generosity of the Holy Cross community,” said Barlok. “So many of you give back to the College with your time, talent, and treasure and I cannot thank you enough! Our talented, hardworking and caring students and their most treasured dreams depend on this help.”