Campaign Update

November 2023

In October 2022, we officially launched Fearlessly Consequential: A Campaign for Our Collective Future in front of Main Building on campus. Alums and friends of the College joined us from around the world in laying out the vision for our collective future. In the months that followed, we traveled across the country meeting over 3,500 alums to discuss the vision for the College’s future as we celebrated Vassar. Thank you to the many who made time to join us!

 

The pictures shown throughout this update are from the Celebrate Vassar events held over the past year. Find out where we traveled to visit with alums and friends, see more pictures from the events, and learn about upcoming events.

TOTAL PROGRESS TO $500M CAMPAIGN GOAL

A custom progress meter

Vassar’s Main Building fills up as we move closer to our overall campaign goal.

As we are now one year from the initial launch, I want to share with you some key updates on the Fearlessly Consequential Campaign. Below, you will find financials that show how we are doing toward our overall $500 million goal. You will also find the current status (as of November 2023) of each pillar of the campaign: The Power of the Liberal Arts; Campus Community; Vassar in the World; and A Campaign for All.

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The Power of the Liberal Arts

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Campus Community

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Vassar in the World

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A Campaign for All

In addition to this financial snapshot, I want to share an update on some critical focus areas at this point in the Campaign. The Institute for the Liberal Arts, The Heartwood (inn), and the Salt Line Restaurant are scheduled to open in late summer or early Fall 2024 at the corner of Raymond and College. The Dede Thompson Bartlett Center for Admission and Career Education will break ground in Summer 2024. We still have a bit of fundraising to do, but we are within $5 million of the total funds needed to support the project, which is a huge win for the students and the College.

 

On the left, Vassar alums with their arms around one another smile at the viewer in front of a backdrop sporting multiple red Vassar logos and red VC logos enclosed in a circle of lines. Middle: a group of people stand together smiling at the viewer with orange and golden glass sculptures behind them. Right: A group of people with their arms around one another in front of a Vassar backdrop.

 

Regarding Financial Aid, we have raised $43 million toward our $100 million goal. There is, however, more work to be done for our First-Generation and Low-Income programs, which have raised $1.15 million toward the $5.5 million goal. Vassar continues to be need-blind in admission and meets 100% of the demonstrated needs for all students.

 

For Faculty Scholarship and Research, we are almost to our $15 million goal. Recruiting and retaining world-class faculty remains a top college priority. We have also established two new endowed professorships since the launch of the campaign and have more in the works, so stay tuned.

 

On the left, four Vassar alums are centered around a table with their arms around each other, smiling at the viewer. Middle: People walk down the steps of a colossal building as the background is lit up by the Vassar logo. Right: People are seated around a table looking up towards a projection.

 

Our Health & Wellness initiatives also received a generous donation bringing us to $3.5 million toward our $5.5 million goal! Vassar is committed to meeting the increasing mental health needs of college-age students and to expanding offerings and access to physical health and wellness resources.

 

On the left, a group of people gather in each other's arms and smile at the viewer. Middle: Five people with their arms around each other smile at the viewer in a background of greenery. Right: A crowd of people gather outside of a tall large glass building.

 

These are just a few examples of what it means to be Fearlessly Consequential. We’ll keep you posted on more updates soon. If you have not joined in the Campaign, I hope you will do so today. We are well on our way to achieving the goals that were set for the future of the College but, to get there, we need your help.

 

Tim Kane

Vice President of Advancement

tkane@vassar.edu