The Converse Fund Reaches New Heights

Converse University’s Institutional Advancement team is delighted to share that the Converse Fund exceeded its December 31, 2025 $1.5 million goal, raising $1,537,349 from 1,229 donors; 93 were first-time donors to Converse University.

Converse University President Boone Hopkins said, “I see the impact of the Converse Fund most clearly in the extraordinary work of our faculty as they empower students through Model Programs, student recitals, and faculty-sponsored research. Each time a student is inspired to reach beyond what they once thought possible, the Converse Fund is helping fuel that success.”

“Each time a student is inspired to reach beyond what they once thought possible, the Converse Fund is helping fuel that success.”

President Boone Hopkins

“This achievement would not have been possible without the support of the entire Converse community and especially our enthusiastic and dedicated alumni,” Ericka Tyner Grodrian ’02, Director of Annual Giving, said. “Many of our alumni went the extra mile this year, making phone calls, reconnecting with classmates, and championing Converse in meaningful ways.”

The Converse Fund directly supports our work to transform and build the future of this beloved institution and all those we serve. Each gift makes an immediate impact by providing scholarships, supplying classroom technology and materials, supporting student success and wellness, recruiting top-notch faculty and staff, and much more. Gifts to this fund, cumulatively:

• Ensure deserving students from all backgrounds can call Converse home through expanded scholarships.
• Fund research and experiential learning, including study abroad opportunities.
• Maintain Converse’s robust reputation — a degree holds more weight when your school is thriving and well-funded.
• Signal a strong and supportive community. When current and prospective students see our community giving back, it sends a powerful message about the impact of a Converse education and the lasting value of our beloved institution.

President Hopkins shared, “The Converse Fund uniquely allows us to unlock the vital aspects of a Converse education that make our campus so vibrant. Through the Converse Fund, we personalize the student experience by supporting dedicated mentorship, hands-on learning opportunities, and cherished traditions that help every student grow into their full potential.”