The mission of our student philanthropy efforts is to provide students a perspective on giving back, to promote awareness of the ways alumni generosity impacts student life, and to continue the legacy of philanthropy that enhances all facets of a Holy Cross education.
The College of the Holy Cross was founded on donor generosity. This tradition is one of our oldest and proudest, and one that our loyal and active alumni body carries on today. It is an extension of our mission to educate women and men who will make a difference in the world.
For more information about our student philanthropy programs, or to learn more about getting involved, please call the Holy Cross Fund office at (877) 433-1843.
Student Philanthropy
Start paying it forward now by making a gift to what has been most meaningful to you during your time on The Hill and by volunteering in the Holy Cross Fund Office.
The mission of our student philanthropy efforts is to provide students a perspective on giving back, to promote awareness of the ways alumni generosity impacts student life and to the legacy of philanthropy that enhances all facets of a Holy Cross education.
The College of the Holy Cross was founded on donor generosity. This tradition is one of our oldest and proudest, and one that our loyal and active alumni body carries on today. It is an extension of our mission to educate women and men who will make a difference in the world.
For more information about our student philanthropy programs or to learn more about getting involved, please call the Holy Cross Fund Office at (508) 793-3499 or email hcfund@holycross.edu.
Why Give Back?
- Pay it forward! Many of the opportunities today's students enjoy are made possible by annual gifts to the Holy Cross Fund and Crusader Athletics Fund.
- The College needs your support. Tuition, room and board only cover part of the costs for a Holy Cross education, so support from alumni, parents and friends helps fill the gap.
- Overall participation sends an important message about the Holy Cross experience! There is no minimum donation to the senior class gift, so a gift of any size counts and makes a difference.
- Holy Cross is committed to providing access and is among a select number of schools who meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need. In fact, more than 60 percent of students receive some form of financial aid, which is financed in large part by the generosity of our donors.
- Seniors can give to honor their passions such as athletics, the Chaplains’ programs, academic departments, financial aid, and many other areas.
Senior Class Gift
The Senior Class Gift effort presents graduating seniors an opportunity to take part in the great tradition at Holy Cross of giving back. With more than 50% alumni participation, the Holy Cross community has a remarkable story to tell about satisfaction and loyalty. This level of donor participation runs counter to trends in higher education, and consistently places Holy Cross among the top 10 colleges and universities nationwide.
The Senior Class Gift campaign encourages seniors to make their first gift (of any amount) to Holy Cross by participating in this collective act of philanthropy. As seniors transition from Holy Cross students to alumni, they can show their appreciation by paying it forward for future students and by becoming part of this notable tradition of giving back. For many, the drive is a meaningful start to a long-term relationship with the College as both donors and as volunteers.
Current Senior Class Gift volunteers, please login in to GiveCampus to see your assignments and begin your outreach.
A Collective Act of Giving: The Class of 2020
Throughout their final year on Mount St. James, members of the Class of 2020 Senior Gift Committee joined generations of volunteers whose loyalty and passion keep Holy Cross moving forward. They chatted over meals, organized a number of pub nights in Crossroads and brainstormed creative ways to encourage their classmates to make their first gift to Holy Cross.
Class Chairs, Sean Carroll and Matthew Wolfe, President’s Council Class Chairs, Margaret Burd and Alyssa Silge, and Student-Athlete Chairs, Kelly Crowley, Riley Livingston, Samantha Peters, and Chris Rinaldi collaborated with the Senior Parent Gift Committee in order to achieve a class gift that has never been offered before. They were challenged by the Senior Parent Gift Committee to reach 70% participation. If they reach their goal, the new pathway from Hogan to “The Jo” will be named for and have a plaque recognizing the Class of 2020 students and parents.
Current Senior Class Gift Chairs and President’s Council Chairs – 2020
Sean Carrol and Matthew Wolfe
Gift Chairs
Margaret Burd and Alyssa Silge
President’s Council Gift Chairs
Kelly Crowley, Riley Livingston, Samantha Peters, and Chris Rinaldi
Student-Athlete Chairs
Past Senior Class Gift Chairs – 2019
Sean Manning & Allie Yoeckel
Past Senior Class Gift Chair – 2018
Brittany Coscio
Past Senior Class Gift Chairs – 2017
Funmi Anifowoshe Manning & Sean Teebagy
Past Senior Class Gift Chairs – 2016
Claire O’Brien, Madison Duddy & Michael Ortlieb
Past Senior Class Gift Chairs – 2015
Michael Noone, Mary-Kate Short & Julianne Trasatti
Feeling Philanthropic on The Hill?
Volunteer at one of these Philanthropic Clubs on Campus
- Action for Education (Students identify communities in which an inadequate or non-existent education system exists and through fundraising and program development, bring these communities to an acceptable standard of education. The club works closely with the national scholarship program, working to raise funds to provide scholarships for financially disadvantaged families to send their children to school.)
- Autism Awareness (Disseminates information about autism and gets students involved in events at Holy Cross and on a national level through the organization Autism Speaks.)
- Cures for Kids (Provides a voice for children suffering from cancer by raising funds for treatment and research, providing Holy Cross students with volunteer opportunities, and increasing awareness about pediatric cancers on campus.)
- Habitat for Humanity (Works in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity International and helps to advance their mission to eliminate poverty housing and combat homelessness by providing adequate housing for those in need.)
- Holy Cross Dance Marathon (An annual event that brings hundreds of students together to raise money to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.)
- Holy Cross for a Cure (Student-run group devoted to fundraising for, spreading awareness of, and supporting those who have been affected by breast cancer.)
- Spring Break Immersion Program (A week-long alternative Spring Break; provides an opportunity for service, reflection and immersion through team building and shared experiences around the United States.)
- Students Programs for Urban Development (Promotes social justice through service in solidarity with the greater Worcester community, fostering the strengths and talents of all.)
Philanthropy After Graduation
From strengthening the bond that alumni have with each other and with the College, volunteers play an essential role in the ongoing success of the Holy Cross Fund. Since Matt Cavanaugh '20 founded the Holy Cross Fund in 1947, connections with classmates have sustained the long history of alumni contributing to keep Holy Cross one of the top liberal arts institutions. Each alumni class has a system of Class Chairs, Correspondents and Agents who engage classmates in supporting the College annually. Volunteers play an essential role in the success of the Holy Cross Fund, providing personal, responsive, and engaging connections to classmates and to the College. View more information.
Consider Joining President’s Council
Sine 1967, President's Council has been Holy Cross' premier annual giving society. Those who give at President's Council levels have historically contributed more than half of the total dollars given to Holy Cross in any year. In the most recent fiscal year, 2,285 alumni, parents, and friends donated nearly $34 million. We are pleased to begin recognizing GOLD (graduates of the last decade) donors in a new way this year. President's Council GOLD donors are alumni who make an annual gift based on a sliding scale of $100 or more per year of graduation. The generosity of President's Council donors is vital to ensuring the high quality of today's educational experience for students and advancing the mission of Holy Cross for years to come. View some of our upcoming President’s Council events!
Want to start a Student Gift Club on Campus or continue your philanthropic practices after graduation? Contact hcfund@holycross.edu for more information!