The Governor’s Academy Surpasses $100 Million Fundraising Goal

Solidifying its place as the most successful campaign in the Academy’s 261- year history, With True Courage: The Campaign for Governor’s surpassed its $100 million fundraising goal in February 2024. After a best-ever Govs Giving Day on February 13, the campaign’s total currently stands at $102 million and counting. 

Launched in October 2017, With True Courage: The Campaign for Governor’s set out to make school history with a record-breaking $75 million fundraising goal. The campaign sought to elevate the Academy’s distinctive mission, amplifying our firmly held values of community and educational excellence, and deepen our commitment to a bright and bold future for the Academy. In 2021, thanks to a visionary challenge grant from Bob ‘67 and Anne Bass GP’26, we set a bold new goal of $100 million, cementing the campaign’s status as the largest in the Academy’s history.

“The With True Courage name was inspired by the Dummer family motto: ‘With true courage, nothing is impossible.’ Our community has demonstrated how profoundly relevant that phrase remains today through its generosity and devotion to our students and faculty. It has been remarkable to witness, and I am incredibly grateful to all who so thoughtfully and energetically invested in Governor’s,” said Head of School Dr. Peter H. Quimby ‘85, P’14.

The response from the Govs community has been overwhelming; more than 5,200 members of our community–from around the world–supported the campaign.

“This campaign has been nothing short of transformative in that it has touched every facet of the Governor’s experience and provided proof—most significantly to ourselves—that Governor’s is capable of doing big, transformative things. From conceptualization to execution, we succeeded, and have laid a strong foundation for the future,” said Board President James Pierce ‘72, P’08.

The impact of the campaign’s priorities will transform students' lives for generations. Among the highlights:

Campus Buildings for Community and Learning

Our relentless pursuit of educational and co-curricular excellence, classroom innovation, and values of strong community ties compelled us to invest in state-of-the-art facilities to prepare our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The reimagined and expanded Peter Marshall French Student Center provides functional spaces for students to learn, socialize, and connect with peers and adults in a casual setting. The Bill ‘67 and Peter ‘71 Alfond Coastal Research Center provides an unparalleled experiential, place-based learning environment in one of the most bio-diverse, pristine ecosystems on the eastern seaboard. In addition, we invested in new faculty residences and outdoor athletic facilities.

Endowment for Financial Aid

More than $23 million has been raised for endowment for financial aid, deepening the Academy’s permanent resources to support a community of bright, bold, motivated students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. A larger financial aid endowment helps to ensure the promise for every Govs student to access the full Governor’s experience, fulfill their potential, and pursue their dreams. Through the campaign, the number of endowed scholarship funds of $100,000 or more tripled.

Endowment for Faculty Excellence

Every Govs student and graduate can name adults at the school who, in ways small and large, changed their lives for the better. Academic excellence is a key pillar of this campaign, with over $10 million raised in support for faculty and the academic program. We’ve established the Bass Institute to create innovative, place-based intellectual experiences across the Governor’s curriculum and expanded resources for faculty to pursue opportunities that lead to curricular innovations to enrich our students' educational experiences at the Academy.

The Governor’s Fund

Our annual fund fuels our programs, people, and facilities with the necessary, immediate resources and flexibility to make every day at Govs a fresh opportunity to transform dreams into reality. Current-use funds enable the Academy to address its top priorities and most urgent needs, including student programming, equity and inclusion, and health and wellness.

“I have never been prouder of the Govs community. This historic achievement is proof of what we can achieve together when we set ambitious goals for the future of the Academy,” said Dr. Quimby. “I am grateful for the leadership of our Board of Trustees, campaign co-chairs, and every person who played a role in our success.”

The With True Courage campaign will officially conclude on June 30, 2024, and all gifts received until then will contribute to the final campaign achievement. Click here to participate in this historic initiative.