Fundraising Hits Historic Levels
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Inflation, a struggling stock market, and global disruptions aside, Pirates far and wide showed their gratitude for The Hall and their commitment to paying it forward. There was a 190 percent increase in gifts and pledges, signaling that alumni approve of the strategic direction of the University and are investing in their alma mater. More than $104 million in gifts and pledges from 8,856 donors has been raised for the comprehensive campaign, which is in its quiet phase. Forty-one percent of those gifts have been dedicated to endowed funds benefiting scholarships, faculty positions, and academic programs. A robust endowment allows a university to be less dependent on tuition revenue. This is critical for the Seton Hall, which until this point has not focused on building its endowment to the same extent as peer universities.
"Last year our community demonstrated their belief in the value of a Seton Hall education through an unprecedented level of philanthropy," said President Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D. "This warmly welcomed support of our alumni is vital to the delivery of our mission and transformation of our University."
The University saw gifts at all levels, with ten donors giving $1 million or more, and an additional ten donors making gifts from $500,000 to $999,999. These funds supported a range of priorities at Seton Hall, including endowed scholarships and faculty positions, the Office of International Programs, the renovation of the Bishop Dougherty University Center, the upcoming practice facility capital project, and the various Schools, Colleges, Academic Centers, and Institutes throughout the University.
The Giving Day campaign in April also shattered records, raising over $900,000 from over 2,000 donors: a 112 percent increase from prior years. Over $9.4 million dollars in planned gifts was received: an increase of 12 percent from the previous year. Sustained giving was also up, with a nine percent increase in memberships to the Bayley Society, which recognizes families and individuals who donate $1,000 or more annually ($500 for recent graduates of the undergraduate programs).
The University received over $4 million in government appropriations, far more than in prior years. Elected officials are seeing the impact that Seton Hall has on their communities and are investing in the University, which has a $1.6 billion economic impact on the State of New Jersey.
In 2021-22 the department of Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy reported a record 34,000+ constituents engaged through meetings, events, philanthropy, volunteerism, and digital outreach. Cross-campus partnerships with Deans and other administrative units assured that students, faculty, and administrative units across the University and in every School, College, division, and academic center or institute benefited from the banner year. Most notably, the Immaculate Conception Seminary and School of Theology received a grant from the Lilly Foundation for over $900,000 to be used toward "The 4:12 Pathway for Pastoral Leadership: Building an Authentic Culture of Discernment, Encouragement, and Accompaniment." This project is designed to foster new energy and growth in ICSST’s academic and formation programs.
"An investment in Seton Hall University yields far-reaching impact," said Jon Paparsenos ’99, Vice President for University Advancement. "We are graduating thousands of superbly prepared students every year to be servant leaders in their communities and across the globe. We are honored to see so many alumni and friends of Seton Hall responding to this message with enthusiasm and generosity."
To find out more about University priorities, contact University Advancement at (973) 378-9800 or [email protected], and to make a gift, visit www.shu.edu/give.
Categories: Alumni
