“A full-tuition scholarship allowed me the financial freedom to spend meaningful time outside the classroom focused on learning, community, and leadership—rather than working several part-time jobs,” said Spencer Beckman, ‘26 M.Div.
The 2026 Annual Fund outperformed past years, in part due to a $100,000 challenge gift from a group within the Dean’s Advisory Council. To unlock the challenge funds, YDS had to secure 350 alumni donors within the month of June. Volunteer class agents, members of the Alumni Board, and the Dean’s Advisory Council worked together to inspire participation in the last months of the effort. Over the course of the fiscal year, more than 20 percent of the entire YDS alumni base contributed to the Annual Fund—the second-highest rate among Yale College and graduate schools.
“Reaching out to classmates for this challenge has only burnished my gratitude for all that YDS gave to me and to all of us—and is still giving,” said Rick Spalding, ’81 M.Div. and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. “I’m so glad to still feel enfolded in the community that shaped my faith, my work and my life beginning all those years ago. I salute [the YDS community] for rising to the present moment for the sake of the future. We are (still) called!”
This year’s annual fundraising effort was one component of the We Are Called campaign, which raised $150 million to support the development of future divinity leaders, campus, academic departments, and social justice initiatives at YDS.
While this year’s campaign was a tremendous success, new financial realities underscore why annual support remains essential. A federal 8% tax on endowment investment income has reduced resources that fund approximately 88% of YDS’s operating budget. Rather than reducing aid across a larger student body, YDS admitted fewer students for the 2026–27 academic year to uphold its commitment to providing full-tuition scholarships for all YDS students with demonstrated need. In this new environment, Annual Fund gifts are more important than ever to ensure that need never prevents a qualified student from attending YDS.
“The School has faced many challenges over our 200-plus years—some greater than this—and each time we have not only survived but come out stronger. We will do so again,” said Greg Sterling, The Reverend Henry L. Slack Dean and Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School. “The tremendous support of donors in this year’s Annual Fund inspire all of us!”
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All donations to the YDS Annual Fund directly support student scholarships and cost-of-living stipends. Contributions can be made at divinity.yale.edu/giving.
