Large gift expands access for students with financial need
A $3.4 million gift to Bellarmine University will establish a new endowed scholarship fund supporting students with demonstrated financial need, reinforcing the university’s commitment to access, affordability, and student success. The donor –
who is a member of Bellarmine’s Board of Trustees – has asked to remain anonymous.
The gift, one of the most significant individual donations to Bellarmine in recent years, provides lasting support for students while advancing key priorities of Bellarmine’s comprehensive fundraising campaign –
Honoring our Past, Shaping our Future – during its 75th anniversary year.
“This gift reflects a deep belief in the power of a Bellarmine education to change lives,” said Bellarmine’s president, Dr. Susan M. Donovan. “By investing in scholarships, this generous donor is expanding access for students who
will go on to lives of great leadership and service. It’s also a powerful statement of confidence in Bellarmine’s future and the growing impact we continue to have in Louisville and beyond.”
Rooted in the university’s mission to educate students in mind, body, and spirit, the new endowed fund will help ensure that talented students from all backgrounds can pursue a Bellarmine education that prepares them for meaningful lives and rewarding
careers.
“I value the transformative power of education, and I think that Bellarmine and its faculty members have demonstrated their capability to deliver educational experiences that can change the lives of their students,” the donor said. “Scholarships
are a terrific way for me to provide more opportunities and positively affect the lives of many people.”
The donor noted that the donation is a deferred gift from their Individual Retirement Account, and they believe the funds will have a greater impact through scholarships at Bellarmine than as a taxable asset in their portfolio. To learn more about planned
giving at Bellarmine, visit
https://giftplanning.bellarmine.edu.
“Prospective students might think that a Bellarmine education is unaffordable, but that’s not really the case,” the donor said. “Financial support makes it possible to provide a highly personalized Bellarmine education at a cost
that is in line with the price of attending a public university. I want to challenge all graduates with the means to do so to join me in making this investment in Bellarmine’s students.”
The gift aligns with the Student Success pillar of Bellarmine’s comprehensive campaign, which prioritizes scholarships and academic support to ensure that every student can thrive. As the university celebrates 75 years of transforming lives, investments
like this one are helping build momentum toward a vibrant future for the institution and the communities it serves.
Bellarmine’s focus on access and outcomes continues to position it as a leader in higher education. The university has been recognized as an Opportunity College and University – Higher Access, Higher Earnings, reflecting its success in serving
students from diverse backgrounds while delivering strong career outcomes. Bellarmine is one of just 16% of universities in the U.S. to achieve this distinction.
Graduates benefit from a personalized, hands-on educational experience that prepares them to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce. In fact, 99% of Bellarmine graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of commencement, demonstrating
the university’s commitment to career readiness and long-term success. This outcome is 15% higher than the average for all U.S. colleges and universities.