Holy Cross Fund Surpasses a Record $10 Million for Second Year in a Row

Since 1843, Holy Cross has devoted itself to transforming lives in the hope of transforming the world. Now in its 175th year, the College celebrates its history and traditions, and the generations of people who have sustained and propelled it.

This year, the financial support was resounding, with more than 20,000 alumni, parents and friends serving as donors and over 2,600 active volunteers participating with gifts of time and talent.

Tracy Barlok, vice president for advancement, reported on the end-of-year success and reflected on its meaning and impact.

"The Holy Cross Community gave more than $34 million in fiscal 2018, making an additional $27 million in pledges," Barlok shares. "For the second year in a row, we surpassed the $10 million mark for the Holy Cross Fund and this was a record year for all unrestricted and restricted annual gifts at $17.7 million. These gifts, no matter the size, provide the institution with important financial stability."

Alumni participation and/or dollar records were broken by the reunion classes of 1953, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1983 and 1988, and the class of 1983 finished with the highest donor participation rate in this group at 71.2 percent.

The community's support was poignantly displayed on the day of giving where the "We Are Holy Cross Crusaders" effort counted 5,966 donors who gave more than $2.5 million to the College — a 35 percent increase in dollars over last year.

Holy Cross parents donated in record numbers this year, Barlok notes, and the senior class of 2018 surpassed 60 percent participation with 100 percent participation from senior student-athletes. Twenty-six members of the senior class gave at the President’s Council level.

Additionally, the Become More campaign total now stands at $344.5 million.

This past year was marked by major events fueled by the generosity and considerable engagement of the College community. Holy Cross celebrated the 50th anniversary of President’s Council in September and enrolled over 1,000 alumni and parents in its first online class, "The Irish American Experience." In March, the new J.D. Power Center for Liberal Arts in the World was dedicated, followed by the dedication of the new Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex in April.

"Our Advancement team is proud to be working alongside all of you to help support our shared aspiration to provide students with a transformational Catholic and Jesuit education at Holy Cross," says Barlok. "The many successes of the past year illuminate a new era of transformation. We are indeed becoming more."