Aspire is Endowed at $6M

Thanks to generous donors, Aspire is now fully endowed! The endowment campaign reached its $2 million goal to sustain the transformational program in perpetuity at $6 million. Aspire will continue to empower generations of middle school girls with academic enrichment and leadership development programming.

The year-long fundraising initiative, led by Co-Chairs Dr. Caroline Borrow and Dr. Liz Nash Patterson and supported by several devoted volunteers, engaged Aspire alumnae, faculty, parents and friends with gifts ranging from $5 to $900,000. Hathaway Brown also encouraged donors to make a gift to Aspire on Giving Tuesday. Our celebrated community contributed more than $85,000 and unlocked two $15,000 challenge gifts from brothers and former Aspire teachers Jeff and Aaron Tang and Hathaway Brown alumna Stephanie Skylar Hench ’78 and her husband Eric! 

“In its 20-year history more than 1,200 supporters have made a gift to Aspire,” said Head of School Fran Bisselle. “This is an incredible accomplishment and speaks volumes about the collective commitment and belief in HB’s mission to educate and empower girls and to be a force for the common good beyond our campus.” 

How Aspire's Endowment Works

The entirety of all endowment funds are invested. The earnings from the principal are used to cover Aspire program costs: 

• tuition 
• stipends for directing teachers, core teachers, and junior teachers 
• transportation 
• instructional supplies
• uniforms
• field trips and special events 

With a large initial investment, the annual earnings cover all of Aspire’s costs. Now, with Aspire fully endowed, the program can implement its mission without the added stress of annual fundraising to cover operating expenses.