MAKING MEN OF CONSEQUENCE
RISING MEN OF MOREHOUSE
For more than 155 years, Morehouse College has been at the forefront of transformational change, developing enterprising men who use their influence to defy the mainstream and improve society.
The College is at a critical juncture in its evolution, and that is why we have launched this exciting effort to raise $500 million for Making Men of Consequence: The Campaign for Morehouse College.
“MOREHOUSE COLLEGE IS PROBABLY THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. ”
Roderick Hart III ’22
Senior, Political Science And Sociology Major
Recipient, Mabel Lindsay Gillespie Endowed Scholarship
rising men of morehouse
Support for Students
Access to a Morehouse education should be about ability—not ability to pay. As the costs of providing higher education rise and government support dwindles, colleges and universities across the country are tackling the imperative to make education more accessible and affordable.
Every rising Man of Morehouse must have the opportunity to complete his education and earn the distinction of becoming a Morehouse Man. Many of our students, like their peers nationwide, struggle to meet the costs of a college education. Financial barriers can make the journey difficult or even end it before graduation; lack of funding is a major factor for students who do not complete their degrees.
Cost also can prevent top scholars from choosing a Morehouse education in the first place. And the competition in higher education for gifted students of color is fierce. Leading liberal arts colleges, top-ranked public universities, and Ivy League institutions all vie for many of the same high-achieving students of color, offering full scholarships and a multiplicity of other incentives.
Success Begins With Access
Scholarships are the most direct and effective way to offset the costs of education. They enable scholars to focus on their studies without worrying about finances—and to begin their futures without overwhelming debt. Endowed scholarships grow in perpetuity to create opportunities for students not just for today, but far into the future. Student emergency funds provide short-term financial support to assist with unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable emergency expenses.
Creating Financial Sustainability—for Students and the Institution.
Approximately 50 percent of our scholars come from households earning less than $40,000 per year, and more than 80 percent of Morehouse students receive financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Additional support for scholarships and incentives to attract the most talented men from around the world will allow us to offer a Morehouse education to future leaders who will solve complex problems and make a global impact.
Realizing excellence means graduating every Man of Morehouse. To meet our strategic goal to increase all of our financial aid resources over the next five years and reach a 90 percent, six-year graduation rate by 2026, additional financial support will be essential.
We are working toward a future in which our endowment will allow the financial flexibility to support all deserving scholars, and the scholarships we offer students will be need blind. As more alumni and friends become involved in this goal, Morehouse will ensure that every qualified student—regardless of finances—can afford an education.
rising men of morehouse
CAMPAIGN GOAL
$200 MILLION
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES
Merit- and need-based scholarships
Emergency funds
Support services
How Families are Paying
for a Morehouse Education
Six in ten Morehouse scholars take out federal loans to pay for their education. Their families also tend to invest in their Morehouse education, which drains family finances. Black households have the lowest median net worth, lagging behind Asian, white, and Latin Americans families. Taking on student loan debt further exacerbates the wealth g between Blacks and other racial groups.
rising men of morehouse
Support for Students
With endowments at elite private, liberal arts schools approaching nine times the value of those at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCUs), it is impossible to unsee the discrepancy and the competitive financial disadvantage HBCUs face. This presents a longstanding challenge for Morehouse and is one that must be met to ensure we can continue to serve our constituency.
Majority institutions began focusing on endowment funds early in their trajectories. Most of the schools listed on page 29 began operations in the late 19th century (Williams began in 1793 and Amherst College opened in 1821), as did Morehouse. But the target market of these schools when they began was quite different from that of Morehouse. While their outreach was to the progeny of people with some degree of affluence, Morehouse opened to educate freed, formerly enslaved Black men. There was limited funding in families. Sending young men to college at that time was cost-prohibitive, as they were needed at home to secure scarce dollars for their families. Soliciting contributions to build the College’s endowment was challenging, at best.
But over time, as Black wealth and assets were increased, and Morehouse became universally recognized for its contributions to society, alumni and friends took great pride in the College and invested much needed fiscal support. That legacy built the multi-million-dollar endowment that we boast today. Standing today at $275 Million, Morehouse is laser-focused on the need to build this critical fund.
"In order to attract and retain young men worthy of the Morehouse experience, we will need to grow our endowment to $1.5 Billion,” according President David Thomas. “If Morehouse is to continue remaining competitive with other elite private, liberal arts schools, we need to be able to ensure that we have the scholarships, support services, and academic resources.”
To help Morehouse College continue to be a driving force of excellence and action, we have launched Making Men of Consequence: The Campaign for Morehouse College. Learn more about the guiding pillars and ambitions:
BE A PART OF THE JOURNEY
In a spirit of comradery, enthusiasm, and appreciation, we call on you to join us in bringing Morehouse College’s grand vision to life.
We encourage you to aim high as you consider your investment. And we invite our loyal benefactors, supportive alumni, esteemed faculty and staff, and growing network of students, parents, and friends to reflect on the many ways you can get involved and share in the exciting journey ahead.
Together, let’s set our collective sights toward the College’s bright future and the Morehouse that is going to be.
If you would like to discuss your personal investment with the Office of Institutional Advancement, please contact 470-639-0355 or giving@morehouse.edu.
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