Record Growth, Lasting Impact: The Alumni Fund
Yale SOM alumni, led by dedicated volunteers and standout champions, drove record Alumni Fund growth during the Driving Purpose campaign—fueling scholarships, innovation, and mission-critical priorities through annual giving and a milestone first Giving Day.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the thousands of Yale SOM alumni whose ongoing generosity to the Alumni Fund makes a meaningful difference each year. Every contribution has a tangible and direct impact at the school by fostering innovative academic programs and distinct learning opportunities, advancing research, and sustaining the school’s mission to educate leaders for business & society.
A special thank you to our dedicated class agents and country captains, whose leadership and outreach inspire others to make Yale SOM a priority in their philanthropic giving.
Campaign Trends
The Yale SOM Alumni Fund had record-breaking growth during the Driving Purpose campaign, demonstrating the strength and commitment of the SOM community.
During Driving Purpose — The Yale SOM Campaign, SOM alumni contributed $39.9 million to the SOM Alumni Fund—representing 9.2% of all dollars raised during the campaign. This core funding is essential to the school’s continued growth, enabling it to respond quickly to emerging opportunities, invest in the student experience, and direct resources to the greatest need as priorities evolve.
Leading with Purpose
Becky Vitas Schamis ’00
Becky Vitas Schamis has been an extraordinary champion for Yale SOM through her leadership, generosity, and steadfast commitment. As a Driving Purpose Campaign co-chair and chair of the Alumni Fund, she has inspired alumni participation worldwide. Under her leadership, thousands of alumni have supported scholarships, curriculum, and emerging priorities. Her message is clear: every gift matters, and together alumni can advance Yale SOM’s mission for generations to come.
Yale SOM Giving Day
On May 7, 2026, Yale SOM held its first-ever Giving Day, an opportunity for alumni and friends to come together and show their support for the school. The result was a celebration of Yale SOM pride and generosity.
A key catalyst for Giving Day was the remarkable leadership of Larry Wu ’02 and Sharon Tong ’01, who offered an inspiring challenge gift: if the community reached the 500-donor goal, they would contribute $500,000 to Yale SOM. Their generosity set the tone and motivated alumni across class years and programs to join in.
With Larry and Sharon’s leadership inspiring the community, SOM’s first Giving Day became a fundraising milestone and a new tradition rooted in alumni generosity.
At the heart of it, my reasons for giving are quite simple. I support people, institutions, and opportunities that align with my values and help build a future I believe in. The places we support don’t just reflect what we care about today—they carry those values forward. That’s why I give to Yale SOM: its mission of educating leaders for business and society feels especially important for what comes next.
Alumni Fund Dean’s Society Scholarship Spotlight
My long-term goal is to be a finance leader who not only delivers results but also makes the workplace a nurturing and enjoyable environment for my team. Being purpose-driven guides my decisions, and your support has allowed me to focus entirely on that purpose during my time at Yale SOM.
Ann and I are extremely grateful to SOM and hope that our gift will enable other students to experience the school’s transformational effect. SOM has had a tremendous impact on my life. Not only did it provide me with a foundation to pursue my current career trajectory but, more importantly, it introduced me to lifelong friends. It is those friendships that are the backbone of our SOM experience.
This story is part of Driving Purpose—The Yale SOM Campaign 2018–2026 Impact Report, which highlights the people and programs shaped by campaign support.
