Category: Philanthropy
School of Theology Receives $1 Million to Build a Support Network of New England Churches
A new Boston University School of Theology initiative seeks to give churches across the region a boost of hope by convening groups of ordained and lay leaders to share resources and feel more connected. The New Wineskins Network, funded with a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow initiative, will create small groups of church leaders from congregations across New England—with support from School of Theology students, staff, and faculty—to address contemporary challenges facing congregations and their local communities.
Boston University Launches “You Are Why” Campaign, Highlighting Research and Discovery Impact
In a letter sent to the BU community, President Gilliam announced the “You Are Why” initiative. This effort will highlight BU’s groundbreaking research and discoveries that have been made possible through federal and philanthropic partnership and investment. “You Are Why” will also share examples of how the University’s scholarship, teaching, and service missions impact the lives of patients, students, families, and communities. “You Are Why” additionally calls on the BU community to seek new ways of engaging in dynamic and innovative partnerships that will help support and shape the future of research and provide opportunity for students.
BU’s 11th Giving Day Raises Record-Setting $4.5 Million
More than 12,000 alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends from 53 countries and all 50 states contributed to 750 causes across the University during Giving Day. This annual event is BU's largest fundraising day, and this year it shattered previous records, bringing in half a million dollars more than in 2024.
Naming Ceremony for BU’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences
The Duan family, which includes the parent of a BU alum, has given a gift to name the University’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences and endow fellowships there for distinguished faculty and PhD candidates. The gift will also support research initiatives at the center, especially those led by early-career investigators.
$1M Gift Bolsters American & New England Studies Program
PhD students in the American & New England Studies Program (AMNESP) can dream a little bigger next year thanks to an anonymous $1 million gift, part of which will create a new Public Humanities Fund to support research projects, award grants, and fund research-related activities beyond campus. Income from the gift, expected to start flowing during the 2024–2025 school year, will also fund academic fellowships, outside speakers, conference travel, and the like. But Joseph Rezek, a College of Arts & Sciences associate professor of English and AMNESP director, and the faculty are most excited about the Public Humanities Fund and its potential to expand opportunities beyond the campus and help recruit top students.
Tenth Annual Giving Day Raises More Than $3.8 Million
More than 11,500 donors, supporting over 800 causes, made gifts in excess of $3.88 million on Boston University’s 10th Giving Day, April 3. Gifts came from all 50 states and 52 countries on the annual one-day fundraising event. “Terriers came out in force for this milestone Giving Day,” says Erika N. Jordan, BU vice president for alumni engagement. “The theme, Unstoppable BU, took hold and you could feel the energy leading up to April 3. A record number of challenges came in, ambassador sign-ups more than doubled, and the communication exchanges across campus were electric.”
New Questrom Institute to Explore Business’ Role in Society
The Ravi K. Mehrotra Institute for Business, Markets, and Society (IBMS) “will help others understand and appreciate the role business and markets do, can, and should play in creating lasting prosperity, advancing societal goals, and solving global challenges,” its mission statement reads. Ravi K. Mehrotra, founder of a global shipping firm, has given BU a gift to endow a namesake institute studying how business contributes to society, and how it can do better.
2023 BU Giving Day Raises More Than $3.8 Million
Boston University’s ninth Giving Day brought in more than $3.8 million from more than 12,000 donors, supporting more than 450 causes across campus. Gifts came from all 50 states, and from 48 countries.
Lifelong Friendship Behind $100 Million Gift to Medical School
Lifelong friends Aram V. Chobanian (Hon.’06) and Edward Avedisian (CFA’59,’61, Hon.’22) will now be connected forever as the namesakes of BU’s medical school. Thanks to a $100 million gift from Avedisian that will support scholarships, endowed faculty chairs, and cutting-edge research and teaching, the school is being renamed the Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine.
CARB-X wins $370 Million to Fight Antibiotic Resistance
CARB-X, a nonprofit global partnership that channels funding and expertise to companies for new antibiotics, vaccines, and rapid diagnostics, is receiving up to $370 million in additional funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Wellcome, a global charitable foundation.
