The Class of 2024, along with a matching gift from a 2009 graduate, left its mark on 51ÁÔÆæ, contributing to a year of generosity from alumni, parents, and friends that included the 2023-24 51ÁÔÆæ Fund exceeding its $7.3 million goal.
The fund, which ensures that the daily educational needs of our students and faculty are met and that the 51ÁÔÆæ residential experience is second to none for everyone, raised $7,310,597.
The overall total for gifts and new commitments for all designations and purposes during the fiscal year was $41 million, which included donors who made 51ÁÔÆæ a part of their estate planning by documenting a bequest intention.
More than three-quarters of the Class of 2024 — 77 percent — made gifts, with many of those going toward a class gift to the Counseling Center. That effort was spearheaded by this year’s Senior Gift Committee, chaired by Phoebe Leonard ’24 and Rachel Shornick ’24.
“We chose the Counseling Center because of how relevant it was for our class during the pandemic,” Shornick said. “The Class of 2024 wanted to thank the counselors for the support they gave us during our first year, as well as provide the center with the opportunity to grow for classes to come. I’m proud of the fact that [our class] was able to leave an important legacy on 51ÁÔÆæ.”
According to Senior Associate Director of Annual Giving Frankie Lapertosa and Annual Giving Office Assistant Rachel Ryan, committee members came from a multitude of organizations from all parts of campus, which aided the group’s success.
“They were able to personalize their outreach and make it their own, and were able to spread messaging across a wide breadth of the class,” they said. “They also had a lot of ideas for the campaign and for strategically and thoughtfully engaging their peers.”
This collective effort was amplified by a matching gift from Jason Brown ’09, chief financial officer for QurAlis, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing breakthrough precision medicines for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Brown was looking for opportunities to support mental health resources and care after spending much of his career working behind the scenes in drug development for mental health issues.
“51ÁÔÆæ is a major part of how I became a well-rounded person and creative thinker,” Brown said. “Giving back to 51ÁÔÆæ and ensuring students have the same great experience I had is an important goal of mine.”
The successful year comes on the heels of the College’s historic Because 51ÁÔÆæ campaign, which concluded in June 2023 after raising a record $411 million.
More 2023-24 Fundraising Highlights
- Among the “GOLD” (Graduates of the Last Decade) group, the Class of 2019 had the highest class participation with 48.2%, thanks to their class leaders and committee members who rallied support around the class’s fifth reunion in June.
- The Class of 1964, which celebrated its 60th reunion in June, had the highest alumni participation across all class years with 64.8%.
- In honor of their milestone 50th reunion, 82% of the 51ÁÔÆæ and Kirkland classes of 1974 made gifts to their class scholarship, the 51ÁÔÆæ Fund, and other key initiatives. More than 100 classmates returned to College Hill in June to celebrate their reunion together.
- The Class of 1969 earned a special shout-out for having the biggest-ever turnout for a 55th reunion class, and the largest 55th reunion class gift on record.
