Yale Divinity School

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Catalogue of Giving Goals

Annual Giving

Divinity School Annual Fund

A major challenge to students who want to pursue theological education is cost, particularly since many graduates ultimately choose professions that, although richly rewarding and fulfilling, tend to be low-paying. Increasingly, YDS students in recent years have had to rely on borrowing to meet their financial needs. For the Class of 2004, the top decile of indebtedness was $70,000. To reduce reliance on debt, the Divinity School's goal is to increase the proportion of tuition covered by scholarship aid from its current 65 percent to at least 75 percent. Donations to the Divinity School Annual Fund, coupled with endowed scholarship support, will help accomplish that, as all Annual Fund contributions go toward financial aid.

Capital Giving

Endowed Scholarships

To attract the most promising students, YDS must be able to present financial aid packages that compare favorably with offers made by competing institutions. To accomplish this, the school is embarking on a major effort to substantially boost funding available for scholarship aid. In addition to traditional Annual Fund support for current use scholarships, new endowments will create special named scholarships directed toward international students, minority students, students in supervised ministries internships, and students worthy of awards that are given solely on the basis of merit. Scholarship aid is particularly critical to attracting the best possible students to Yale Divinity School and to ensuring a diverse student body. YDS has identified increased financial aid as the School's top capital campaign goal. Named scholarship giving opportunities begin at $50,000.

Goal: $16,000,000

 

Professorships

Yale Divinity School has endowment resources to support current faculty, but there are significant new challenges for the decades ahead that can be met only with new funding sources. To meet this need, YDS plans to establish endowed professorships in several areas -- for example, in the history of Christianity; World Christianity and its relations with other world religions; and several positions in the practice of ministry. An endowed chair is one of Yale's strongest tools for recruiting the ablest scholars and for honoring a distinguished faculty member. Additionally, a named chair, which exists in perpetuity, sends a strong signal of the Divinity School's commitment to excellence in a particular area. Named professorship giving opportunities begin at $3,000,0000.

Goal: $6,000,000

 

Curriculum and Program Support Fund

The changing character of church and society in the 21 st century, including a shifting religious landscape that is more diverse and complex than at any time in recent memory, heightens the need for study at an ecumenical, university-based seminary such as Yale Divinity School. At YDS, students and faculty can engage with persons of other faith traditions and bring all of the intellectual resources at a great university to bear on questions of religious identity and the impact of tradition on religious life. To accommodate this dynamic environment, YDS must ensure that its curriculum remains relevant and vital. Critical to curricular innovation is support to experiment and initiate new resources – written or, increasingly, electronic. A fund to provide grant support for innovative faculty curricular initiatives will help ensure that Yale Divinity School maintains its pivotal position in the world of theological education.

Goal: $3,000,000

 

Research Fund

As a school within one of the world's foremost research institutions, YDS has a strong tradition of advancing theological knowledge through a robust program of faculty research initiatives. Understanding how the Christian tradition has developed in all of its complexity; how it is to be understood in light of contemporary scientific and humanistic knowledge; how it is to relate to other great religious traditions of the world; and how it can contribute to solving contemporary problems facing all humanity are issues on the research agenda of YDS faculty. But students can also derive tremendous benefit from participation in a research project, either independently or under the supervision of a faculty member. Endowed funds will support invigorated research by YDS faculty and students.

Goal: $6,000,000

 

Completion of Sterling Divinity Quadrangle Renovations

The substantial renovation of Sterling Divinity Quadrangle has provided a wonderful, rejuvenated habitat for Yale Divinity School on Prospect Street. But several critical facilities projects remain that must be addressed in the decade ahead. The Canner Street student apartments must be replaced, and plans are under way. The mothballed “back buildings” need to be renovated to accommodate expansion of faculty, YDS partner institutions and community life activities. Included in the renovations will be the former Common Room, former refectory, and space that previously housed the gymnasium and, later, Institute of Sacred Music offices. Architectural plans have been drawn up for the $7 million first phase of the project, the former gymnasium/ISM space, which will be occupied by the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. Funding for these projects will complete the final phases of the magnificent restoration of Sterling Divinity Quadrangle that began in 1998.

Goal: $7,500,000