Opening Doors to Hands-On Learning at Trinity University

Trinity University students will soon benefit from an expansion of donor-supported internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, and career-preparation experiences, thanks to a $1 million lead gift from the Moody Foundation. 

This transformational investment launches the Trinity University Moody Opportunity Match, a $1 million matching initiative designed to build a permanent, endowed base of support for hands-on learning. By removing financial barriers, the initiative ensures that students—especially those with the greatest financial need—can fully participate in the high-impact experiences that define a Trinity education and prepare graduates to lead and succeed.

Aligned with Ready. Set. Rise.

Moody Opportunity Match directly advances Trinity’s strategic plan, Ready. Set. Rise., which prioritizes student-focused education and expanded access to applied learning beyond the classroom. These funds support faculty-led study abroad, undergraduate research projects, and internships, with a clear vision for the future: that Trinity students will have meaningful applied learning experiences, with financial support available to them during their time at the University. Together, the Opportunity Funds and the Moody Opportunity Match strengthen Trinity’s commitment to experiential education as a core element of student success.

Impact of the Gift

“This matching gift is a powerful investment in our students’ futures. By removing financial barriers to internships, research, global study, and career preparation, the match and related gifts help ensure that every Trinity student, regardless of financial background, can participate fully in the experiences that define a Trinity education,” said Dr. Vanessa B. Beasley, president of Trinity University. “We are deeply grateful to the Moody Foundation for its extraordinary leadership and its longstanding commitment to expanding educational opportunity across Texas.”

Preparing Students for the World

Experiential learning bridges coursework with lived experience—deepening understanding, sharpening analytical thinking, and strengthening the skills employers value most. Today’s graduates need more than a degree; they need opportunities that build confidence, adaptability, and perspective. Fully funded internships, research positions, and study-abroad programs allow Trinity students to gain intercultural fluency, collaborate across disciplines, and translate academic learning into real-world impact.

What the Opportunity Funds Make Possible

The Opportunity Funds are designed around three core outcomes:

• Connect classroom learning to career readiness. Students apply knowledge in real settings, developing both technical expertise and essential skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
• Strengthen résumés and post-graduation success. Funded internships, research, and global study experiences help students graduate with competitive credentials and clear professional direction.
• Enable students to contribute meaningfully to communities and organizations. Trinity students support companies, nonprofits, health systems, research institutions, and civic organizations in San Antonio and across the U.S. and world—bringing talent, curiosity, and impact wherever they go.

Removing Financial Barriers to High-Impact Learning

While experiential learning is proven to shape student success, the costs associated with these opportunities can place them out of reach. Over the past three years, Trinity has seen a 44% increase in students requiring need-based financial aid, underscoring the importance of sustainable support beyond tuition assistance. The Moody Opportunity Fund is designed to meet this moment—allowing students to focus on learning, discovery, and career preparation without financial constraint.

A Matching Opportunity Through November 2026

Through November 2026, the Moody Foundation will match 1:1 gifts of $25,000 or more to create endowed Opportunity Funds. Donors may direct their support to study abroad, undergraduate research, or internship experiences, creating named funds that will benefit Trinity students in perpetuity.

“Opportunity Funds will help us attract the most qualified students, engage them in learning inside and outside of the classroom, and prime them for life after graduation,” said Megan Mustain, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

For more information about the Moody Opportunity Match initiative or to check whether an existing endowment is eligible for additional matching support, contact trinitycommitment@trinity.edu or 210-999-7328. Read the Moody Foundation press release and learn more about Trinity University Opportunity Funds here.