“When Boston College launched Soaring Higher, we did so with hope and optimism. Still, it’s amazing to see where we are now,” said Ben Anderson, campaign director and associate vice president for principal giving within the Office of University Advancement. “This campaign was years in the making, and BC is ever grateful not only to the donors who have gotten us to this point, but also those who will help us sustain our momentum in the coming years.”

The athletics, academic, and admissions achievements mentioned above are both inspiration for and the focus of the campaign. Comprehensive in nature, Soaring Higher essentially supports everything that BC does, all in an effort to continue the University’s upward trajectory. In fact, it stands on three pillars: financial aid; academics; and student life, which expands beyond Athletics to include Mission and Ministry, Student Affairs, and other parts of the campus experience.

For Every Eagle: Financial Aid

This year, Boston College will distribute the most financial aid in its history—$177 million—and two-thirds of undergraduates will receive some amount of aid. Without this critical assistance, many incoming families would be forced to decline an offer of admission from BC. It would weaken BC academically and negatively impact the diverse social ecosystem that benefits all who inhabit our campuses.

Fortunately, BC is one of only 21 national private universities that accept students on their merits alone and that also meet the full demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. However, the BC endowment ranks among the smallest in this group. Gifts to financial aid help the University maintain this commitment and overcome this gap.

Support for financial aid takes on many forms, and all levels of giving make a significant impact. Year in and year out, the BC Fund and financial aid rank 1–2 in gift designations among annual and leadership donors. Last year, gifts under $100,000 added up to $11.2 million for the BC Fund and financial aid alone.

For Excellence: Academics

From research on how viral insulins work and what it could mean for human cancer, to a project that empowers ministerial organizations serving Hispanic Catholics, BC faculty members made incredible use of the grant monies they received last year.

Indeed, some of BC’s greatest impact on communities is led through research and scholarship, academic institutes, and programs. These initiatives—and countless others—empower students and faculty to pursue passions, engage with some of the world’s most pressing and complex problems, and deliver what society needs most.

For BC alumni and donors looking to make a difference at an individual level, innovation funds afford BC’s academic leadership with resources to meet the pressing needs of their schools. These unrestricted funds have ripple effects within departments and across the Heights, strengthening undergraduate and graduate programs, developing faculty, and providing urgent funding to students in need.

Faculty support also remains critical as BC continues to elevate its academic profile as the preeminent Jesuit, Catholic university in America. Faculty are the key to making BC the best academic institution it can be. They help students discern their life’s calling. As teachers and mentors, they guide students to become conscientious, compassionate, and well-rounded leaders.

For the Heights: Student Life

On top of their sporting achievements, BC student-athletes completed more than 20,000 volunteer hours last year, earning many conference and national academic honors along the way. Yet that statistic doesn’t just represent the caliber of BC athletes, but rather the student body as a whole.

Student life encapsulates everything that happens on campus and beyond, from the residential experience and shared spaces; to intercollegiate, intramural, and club athletics; to service groups like 4Boston and Appa Volunteers; to retreat organizations such as Kairos and 48Hours; as well as social clubs centered around identities, hobbies, academic interests, and more.

Gifts to support student life promote formative experiences for students beyond the classroom that help them discern their impact in the world. Bolstering Athletics, Student Affairs, and Mission & Ministry—and the programs within—creates a vibrant, diverse culture on campus and allows students to explore new passions and communities. In other words, these gifts are crucial to making the Heights a home for every Eagle.

Participation Matters

While it was publicly launched just outside Gasson Hall and Bapst Library, Soaring Higher has visited New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and beyond, featuring administrative, faculty, alumni, and volunteer speakers. There are even plans to travel abroad this fall.

One of the key messages that is being communicated to Eagles around the world is the importance of participation. That’s because in addition to its fundraising goal, Soaring Higher aims to collect gifts from 60 percent of BC alumni over the life of the campaign. As of August 2024, the participation number was 33 percent. 

“Boston College is fortunate to have such a dedicated base of alumni who display their loyalty to the University through annual giving. And their giving makes a real difference—millions of dollars are generated year after year by gifts under $1,000,” says Jessica Gagnon, director of annual and leadership giving. “To me, there’s no better way to show your appreciation for BC or your investment in its future success than by making an annual gift, no matter the size.”