Tulane receives $5 million in scholarship support
An anonymous $5 million donation will expand undergraduate scholarship opportunities at Tulane University by launching a brand-new phase of the Next Wave Scholarship Challenge, the successful dollar-for-dollar matching program that began in 2021.
“This generous gift advances one of the university’s most critical priorities – scholarships,” Tulane President Michael A. Fitts said. “The Next Wave Scholarship program has helped students realize the dream of a Tulane education regardless of their economic means, inspiring more philanthropic support to help us recruit the best and brightest. This exceptional contribution will inspire a new wave of generosity that will benefit generations of Tulanians.”
The second Next Wave Scholarship Challenge will double the value and impact for new donors of endowed undergraduate scholarships between $100,000 and $500,000 by providing a dollar-for-dollar match. Many existing endowed undergraduate scholarships and new scholarships created by returning donors will also be eligible for matches of up to $125,000.
“Our basic motivation for making this gift is our commitment to opportunity for all,” said the donors, parents of a senior in Newcomb-Tulane College. “Opening the doors of higher education, particularly at a prestigious university like Tulane, is good not only for Tulane but also for American democracy. A Tulane education opens the door to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Tulane magic.”
The Next Wave Scholarship Challenge began in 2021 with a $5 million gift from longtime Tulane supporters Richard Yulman and his daughter and son-in-law, Katy (NC ’05) and Greg Williamson. Every dollar of their gift has since been matched with contributions from 170 donor households, helping to create or expand the impact of endowed scholarships at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Increasing scholarship support was one of the top goals of Only the Audacious, the most ambitious and comprehensive fundraising effort in Tulane’s history. The original Next Wave Scholarship Challenge helped Only the Audacious, which recently transitioned into Always the Audacious, surpass its original goal for endowed scholarship support.
