Pomona College launches record $100 million fundraising drive

Pomona College announced this week that it has begun a $100 million capital campaign. The drive, described as the most ambitious fundraising effort in the college’s history, will run through 2036. The goal is to secure financial backing for three specific areas: academic programs, student services, and physical infrastructure.

The total target is $100,000,000. According to the campaign announcement, the funds will not be used for general operating costs. Instead, the money is allocated to endow faculty positions, expand financial aid for low-income students, and renovate aging buildings on the campus in Pomona. The college states that the current endowment is insufficient to cover these growing needs without new private gifts.

President John P. D. Kirkpatrick confirmed the launch during a press conference held on the campus quadrangle on Tuesday morning. He stated that the college has relied heavily on tuition revenue and that the campaign is necessary to maintain academic quality. "We are asking our community to invest in the future of liberal arts education," Kirkpatrick said. "This is about ensuring every student has the resources to succeed, regardless of their financial background."

The campaign team includes three new senior officials hired specifically for this initiative. Sarah Jenkins, the college’s former dean of development, now serves as the campaign chair. She is joined by Michael Torres, who previously led fundraising efforts at Claremont McKenna College, and Lisa Chen, a local business executive from Claremont. The group will work with the board of trustees to identify potential major donors.

Local residents in the Pomona and Claremont areas will be key targets for the drive. The college expects to solicit significant contributions from alumni who live in the Inland Empire. A dedicated office will open in downtown Pomona in early 2027 to host donor events. The college also plans to partner with the Pomona Foundation for the Arts to create joint fundraising events.

The physical infrastructure portion of the plan involves the renovation of the Haines Hall library and the construction of a new student union building. The new union will include study spaces, dining areas, and technology labs. The college estimates that the construction project will cost $35 million. The remaining $65 million will be split between faculty endowments and student aid.

Student aid is a central pillar of the drive. The college aims to double the number of students receiving full need-based financial aid. Currently, 20% of the undergraduate population receives full aid. The new endowment is designed to support 40% of students by the end of the campaign. This shift is intended to reduce the reliance on student loans.

The board of trustees approved the campaign structure on October 15. The vote was unanimous. Trustees cited the college’s stable enrollment rates and high job placement statistics as reasons the institution is ready for such a large-scale appeal. The college’s endowment currently stands at $850 million, a figure that has grown by 15% over the last five years.

The first major donor event is scheduled for February 14, 2027. The event will be held at the Pomona Civic Center. Organizers expect 300 alumni and local leaders to attend. Tickets for the event are not yet on sale, but the college has released a preliminary schedule of activities that will follow in the spring.

The campaign office will report its progress to the public twice a year. The first public report is due in April 2027. The college has committed to publishing a detailed breakdown of where each dollar is allocated. This transparency measure is a response to feedback from donors who requested clearer accounting in previous fundraising efforts.