About Vassar College
The mission of Vassar College is to make accessible “the means of a thorough, well-proportioned and liberal education” that inspires each individual to lead a purposeful life. The College makes possible an education that promotes analytical, informed, and independent thinking and sound judgment; encourages articulate expression; and nurtures intellectual curiosity, creativity, respectful debate and engaged citizenship. Vassar supports a high standard of engagement in teaching and learning, scholarship and artistic endeavor; a broad and deep curriculum; and a residential campus that fosters a learning community.
Focus Areas
higher educationliberal artsstudent financial aid and supportsustainability and climate actionarts and museumsresearch and fellowshipsarchives and special collectionsinternational exchange (Fulbright, study abroad)
Funding Style
unrestricted/general operating supportcore mission support
About Vassar College
A single mission shape runs through Vassar College’s grantmaking: support for a liberal arts education that promotes analytical thinking, creativity, engaged citizenship, and access to learning. That mission shows up in grants that stay close to campus life and the surrounding community, alongside larger awards tied to climate action and research. The college’s giving includes recurring support for student research through Ford Scholars and Beckman Scholars Program, both built around faculty-mentored summer research at Vassar. It also funds local partnerships through the Frances D. Fergusson Good Neighbors programs, which connect students and employees with Poughkeepsie nonprofits for community-based projects. Recent grants illustrate the range of recipients it supports, from Climate Vault Inc in Chicago to local organizations such as Finish Strong Wellness Center Inc and Hudson River Housing Inc in Poughkeepsie. The pattern is not just one of scholarship support or community aid, but of an institution using its own resources to reinforce academic inquiry, special projects, and nearby nonprofit partnerships.
What Vassar College Funds
In student research, Vassar College supports summer fellowships and mentor-based projects. Ford Scholars backs undergraduate research projects on campus or remotely, while the Beckman Scholars Program provides a 10-week intensive research experience for qualifying science students with a faculty mentor and stipend. In community partnerships, the Frances D. Fergusson Good Neighbors grants support one-year and multi-year projects between Vassar community members and Poughkeepsie nonprofits, including work in education, arts and culture, neighborhood stability, and social services. The college also funds archives and special collections research through grants and fellowships administered by the Catherine Pelton Durrell Archives & Special Collections Library. Its active programs further include Community Works, which supports local agencies providing food, shelter, counseling, immigrant services, and family support.
How Vassar College Gives
Vassar College’s typical grant size is modest: the 25th percentile is $6,814, the median is $7,500, and the 75th percentile is $11,064. The recent grants list shows repeat support to the same recipients across 2024 and 2025, including Climate Vault Inc, Finish Strong Wellness Center Inc, and Dutchess County Pride Center Inc, which points to ongoing rather than one-off relationships in some cases. The college’s active programs include both unsolicited opportunities and structured annual community campaigns. Its philosophy emphasizes unrestricted, general operating, and flexible funding, with some programs also offering multi-year partnership grants.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$137K
Total Assets
$2B
Total Revenue
$371.1M
Total Expenses
$352.9M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $7K and $11K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$11K
Geographic Reach
Local2 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Elizabeth Howe Bradley
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