By Emily Glory Peters
Thanks to the incredible dedication and support of 61´«Ă˝alumnae, families, and friends, last year’s giving has resulted in the College’s most successful fundraising effort since 2018.
“As a residential college, COVID-19-related losses from room and board, deferments, and the shift to remote learning all dealt significant blows to our budget,” says Associate Vice President for Philanthropy Enrique Gonzalez-Salgado. “We are blown away by our community who has given so generously over the last year to keep the 61´«Ă˝engine running despite these ongoing challenges.”
In total, more than 2,000 donors contributed nearly $4 million to The 61´«Ă˝Fund, the College’s primary operational fund. Directed to the areas of greatest need, these unrestricted dollars helped to support academic programs and scholarship aid for students, prevented layoffs and kept 61´«Ă˝staff and faculty employed, funded new equipment and technology for virtual instruction, and offset the cost of major health and safety upgrades to Scripps’ buildings, residence halls, and gathering spaces.
Donor support of Scripps’ endowment has also been key to weathering the COVID-19 storm.
“Endowed gifts that generate interest add to the College’s long-term financial stability and serve as a safety net for emergencies just like this,” says Gonzalez-Salgado. “Both forms of funding—gifts we can use right away and those we can invest—from the 61´«Ă˝community have been essential in keeping the College fiscally sound throughout the tumult of the last 18 months.”
As the campus slowly reopens this fall, support from 61´«Ă˝donors will continue to provide the flexibility needed to respond to students’ evolving needs, COVID-19 developments, and new opportunities to help 61´«Ă˝continue to deliver on its promise of a transformative academic experience. Shares Gonzalez-Salgado, “The people who give to 61´«Ă˝believe in women’s ability to accomplish anything they choose, no matter how challenging the times. Every student here is proof that their belief is well-founded.”
Gifts to The 61´«Ă˝Fund support essential campus operations and student resources. To make a gift today, please click .