In the most successful fundraising year since the renovation of the Quad, YDS received $11.4 million in gift commitments in 2014-15, up from $4.3 million in 2013-2014, with giving increases registered across all areas of the development program.
Among the programs and initiatives benefiting from alumni and friends’ generous support are student scholarships, faith formation, and the theology of joy initiative of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture at YDS.
“I am incredibly grateful at the end of my first year as the school’s chief development officer to see our alumni and friends extend such extraordinary generosity and heartfelt support of YDS and all of our partners on the Quad,” said Jim Hackney, ’79 M.A.R., Senior Director of Development. “Dean Sterling’s vision for the direction of the school is resonating with all sectors of our community. The giving totals demonstrate this and create great momentum for the future.”
Here are some of the highlights of the 2014-15 giving year:
- The Yale Center for Faith and Culture at YDS received a $4.25 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation for its new initiative in the theology of joy and the good life;
- An anonymous donor contributed $1.7 million to establish the Felix Varela Endowed Scholarship Fund for Latino/a students;
- A total of $3.9 million was added to the endowment for student scholarships;
- The Dean’s Advisory Council demonstrated its leadership by contributing a combined $2.8 million;
- A record amount of $494,000 was contributed to the Annual Fund, with more than 29.1 percent of alumni participating;
- Gifts to Berkeley Divinity School at YDS totaled an impressive $1.5 million, supporting Episcopal formation, endowment, and leadership development, among other areas;
- Eighty-three different funds received gift income;
- A total of 2,451 donors made contributions.
“On behalf of the students and faculty at YDS, and all who benefit from their work now and in the future, I extend my warmest appreciation to those who gave,” YDS Dean Greg Sterling said. “We have bold and ambitious plans to make this school an even more vital contributor to the church and world in the future. With the kind of support demonstrated by our remarkable 2014-15 giving totals, I have every confidence we will fulfill that vision. You inspire us!”