Smith College, a highly rated liberal arts educational institution for women in Northampton, Massachusetts, has launched a $75 million fundraising initiative to boost scholarship support to students, ensuring that a Smith education remains accessible and affordable to students from a diverse range of backgrounds.
The fundraising effort, “Here For Every Voice,” seeks to secure immediate-use gifts through The Smith Fund, as well as planned gifts and endowed funds that will benefit students at Smith in perpetuity. Presently, “Here for Every Voice” has already raised close to $32 million.
Smith College President Kathleen McCartney indicated early in her presidency that financial aid would be one of her top priorities. Currently, more than 67 percent of students receive financial aid from Smith. The college expects to award close to $80 million in aid within the next year.
“There is much more work to do to dismantle the financial barriers to education that continue to exist for so many exceptional students,” President McCartney said. “Lack of means should never prevent a student from going to college. We have a responsibility as an institution committed to inclusion and equity to level the playing field so that every student, no matter their background, fulfills their educational dreams and aspirations.”