Trinity Raises $50 Million for Scholarships with Trinity Commitment

Between early morning classes, long afternoons in the lab, and late-night study sessions, some college students have to balance their studies with extra jobs to make their education possible.  

Two years ago, Trinity University’s Board of Trustees took steps to address these challenges, aiming to increase donor-supported endowed scholarships by $50 million through a combination of giving and endowment investments, while building a permanent foundation of community support for future generations of students. The result, the Trinity Commitment, has been an overwhelming success. Now, the trustees are extending it.

The Trinity Commitment offered a clear invitation: When donors give $50,000 or more to create or strengthen an endowed scholarship, Trinity would match it dollar-for-dollar from the University’s unrestricted endowment funds. The University expected the fundraising to last through the end of Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University in 2027.

The community responded quickly. In less than two years, $25 million was raised and doubled with matching funds, creating 500 new donor-endowed scholarships.  

To keep the momentum going, Trinity’s trustees have offered an additional $10 million in matching funds to extend the Trinity Commitment through the end of the campaign. The terms are the same: Each donor gift of $50,000 or more to create a new or existing endowed scholarship fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10 million, creating another $20 million in scholarships. Details about giving are available here.

“Trinity recognizes the financial challenge that many families face,” says Trinity University President Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D. “Thanks to the leadership of our trustees and the generosity of our community, we have made tremendous progress toward reducing that burden.”

“We were very excited by the support we received toward the first Trinity Commitment goal of $25 million,” says Ted Beneski, P’11, P’14, chair of the Board and CEO and managing partner of Insight Equity in Southlake, Texas. “Extending the commitment for another $10 million was an easy decision for the Board.”

“By increasing the number of donor-funded scholarships,” Beneski added, “Trinity University is sending a clear message to future students and families that if they work hard and earn the opportunity to attend Trinity, the University will help make sure they can afford it.”

“Scholarships impact more than a tuition bill,” President Beasley says. “I want our students to have the time and encouragement to explore the wide range of possibilities a Trinity education offers, aware they are supported by donors who also want to help them follow their dreams on our campus and beyond.”