Campaign Exceeds Goal

The 130^th Anniversary Campaign, which kicked off quietly in 2002, wrapped up on June 30. The 2009-10 Annual Fund exceeded its $3 million goal, money that was used for critical day-to-day operations.

 

Head of School Thomas K. Sturtevant described both efforts as a “resounding success.”

 

In an announcement to the NMH community, Sturtevant wrote: “In light of uncertain global economic times, this campaign's success has been essential to strengthening NMH and ensuring that we have the resources to thrive and adapt in an ever more sophisticated and complex world.” Read his full announcement here.

 

Donors contributed a range of gifts throughout the 130^th Anniversary Campaign and, in 2006, two major donors made significant commitments. NMH Board of Trustees chairman emeritus William R. Rhodes ’53 contributed $5 million for the Rhodes Arts Center. David F. Bolger '50 gave the single largest commitment on record— $10 million for scholarships, faculty support, and maintenance of Memorial Chapel.

 

Much of the campaign’s success came from a large number of people giving their support. Sturtevant noted that campaign funds came from over 14,000 donors, with gifts ranging from $1 to $10 million. The school will use all of the outright gifts, planned gifts, and pledges great and small for scholarships, teacher and program funding, and new facilities.

 

This past year, over 5,900 people contributed to the Annual Fund to raise a total of $3.1 million. Alumni, parents, students, and other NMHers explained why the school means so much to them and why they offered their financial support on the 130^th Anniversary Campaign’s blog. 

 

In April, during an alumni event in Brooklyn, NY, Sturtevant told a group of alumni, parents, and friends that the school remains "a destination for young creative people.”

 

"You're part of a very special place,” he said. “Our students come to NMH to contribute. They are not just thinking about what they are going to get as consumers. Instead, they are thinking about how to make a difference."  

 

NMH will celebrate the success of the 130^th Anniversary Campaign on October 23, 2010, at the school. The celebration is open to all NMHers, past and present.  Sturtevant, in his announcement, encouraged NMHers to to return to campus to “witness the vitality of the education for the head, heart, and hand” as it is alive in students and teachers today.