Giving Societies

Through our giving societies, Harvard Divinity School celebrates alumni and friends who provide sustaining philanthropic support to the School. Giving society members are recognized in the annual Dean’s Report and are invited to engage with HDS through events and communications throughout the year. Your gifts help us strengthen religious education and literacy and promote understanding across global divides.

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The HDS Leadership Society recognizes individuals who give annual contributions of $1,000 or more to the School. These gifts play an integral role in advancing the mission of HDS and provide essential support for our students, faculty, and degree programs.

All Leadership Society members are invited to our annual Dean’s Leadership Forum. Held in Cambridge each spring, the Forum is an opportunity for Harvard Divinity School’s most devoted alumni and friends to connect with thought leaders in faith, ethics, culture, politics, public life, and many other spheres.

As our philanthropic leaders, members of this society create significant impact on the lives of HDS students and all those whose lives they touch through their service, fellowship, action, and innovation.

  • Leaders in Innovation ($25,000+)
  • Leaders in Action ($10,000–24,999)
  • Leaders in Fellowship ($5,000–9,999)
  • Leaders in Service ($1,000–4,999)

To make participation more accessible for our recent graduates, we offer special giving thresholds to join the Leadership Society:

  • 0–4 years out: $250 minimum one-time gift or only $21 per month
  • 5–9 years out: $500 minimum one-time gift or only $42 per month

Ready to become an HDS leader? Make your leadership gift. Gifts can be made all at once or spread out through the year on a monthly basis.

Make Your Leadership Gift

For more information about the Leadership Society, contact Megan Welch, associate director for development strategy and donor relations.

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Members of the Emerson Circle have contributed to the School for 10 or more consecutive years. HDS extends its deepest gratitude to these individuals for their unwavering loyalty to the School. For more information, contact Megan Welch, associate director for development strategy and donor relations.

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The James Luther Adams Society honors our friends who have pledged their support to the School through life income plans, bequests, gifts-in-kind, or other planned gift arrangements.

Celebrating Adams’s enduring legacy of ministry and scholarship, the Society recognizes and encourages the valued tradition of ensuring the Divinity School’s continued excellence through financial strength and stability. For more information about the James Luther Adams Society, contact Nancy Birne, director of development administration and special projects.