Donor Impact Report

message from the vice president for seminary advancement

Every gift that the Seminary received has enabled us to teach, to do research, and to enrich communities today and into the future. All of the donations that have been given year over year are not only appreciated, but also help the Seminary to evolve and grow. There is never a limit to how often one can say, “THANK YOU.” We marvel at the wonderful opportunities that have been provided through the generosity of many. PTS is grateful for all that our donors have done and continue to do.

At the end of each fiscal year, members of the Seminary administration reflect upon the year that has concluded. We take the time to discuss the impact that so many individuals, congregations, foundations, directors, and others have made on the Seminary by their fiscal contributions. We are well aware of what these gifts have allowed PTS to do, and your faithfulness in trusting that we will continue to be obedient to our mission in being “a community of Christ joining in the Spirit’s work of forming and equipping people for ministries familiar and yet to unfold and communities present and yet to be gathered.”

As a Seminary, we honor and acknowledge the generosity of all who have given and continue to give, and encourage others who may be interested in giving to learn more about how gifts can alter the trajectory of the Seminary, the students, the faculty, and many others.

Again, we say “THANK YOU” for the gifts that have been received which allow for Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to continue to be and grow into the seminary that prepares students to participate fully in God’s work in the world.

The Rev. Charles L. Fischer III

The Power of Scholarships

of the Class of 2022 graduated without educational loans from Seminary

of our students received aid in the 2021-2022 school year

of current master’s students receive Expanding Access to Theological Education scholarships

The Seminary is grateful to the individuals, churches, and foundations who provide scholarship funding to ensure our students can receive a quality education without incurring heavy educational debt. Listed here are the endowed scholarships established in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

The Christ United Church Presbyterian AIM Graduate Network Program Endowment was established in January 2022, and supports the Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. This endowment is funded by Christ United Presbyterian Church, Youngstown, Ohio, and supports in perpetuity the Seminary’s mission of forming and equipping people for ministries familiar and yet to unfold and communities present and yet to be gathered.

The Frank and Carol Sparks Merit Scholarship Endowment was established in May 2021, to honor William Franklin Sparks and Carol Cowden Sparks. This endowment supports students entering into, or those who are currently engaged in, pastoral ministry, and aids students in perpetuity.

The Rev. Frank David and Mary Burnham Throop Scholarship Endowment honors the lives and ministries of David and the late Mary Throop, graduates of the Class of 1971 from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. David received a master of divinity, and Mary earned a master of religious education. Both exhibited a loving passion for ministries which served the Gospel of Jesus Christ during the six years David was pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Sac City, Iowa, and then during the 34 years he was pastor of Placentia Presbyterian Church, Placentia, Calif. David previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of PTS from 2005 to 2014. Established in May 2022, the endowment provides merit scholarships for students who seek to serve Jesus Christ in a pastoral or specialized ministry.

Seminary giving societies honor donors

Gifts to the Seminary come from many sources including our alumnae/i, friends, Board members, employees, churches, judicatories, and foundations. These gifts support the Annual Fund, financial aid, resource programs, and beyond.

The John S. McMillan Society

Members of The McMillan Society have expressed their commitment to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary through a very special and important form of financial support—as the ultimate beneficiary of a planned gift. These gifts might include a bequest and/or charitable income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts, or gifts of life insurance.

Once you complete your estate plans, fill out our member profile form at www.pts.plannedgiving.org (click “The McMillan Society”, “member profile form”) to let us know. We would like to thank you for your generosity by including you in The McMillan Society.

1794 Giving Society

The 1794 Giving Society is named after the establishment of the Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary—one arm of the history of our antecedent institutions—which began with the founding of Service Seminary in 1794 by the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania. Prior to that time, the Presbytery was dependent on a supply of ministers sent from Scotland. The Rev. John Anderson, D.D., was elected as the first teacher of divinity and the school began with an enrollment of six students. Service Seminary moved twice, first to Ohio, where it became Xenia Theological Seminary, and later to Missouri. In 1930 it merged with a seminary that was founded in Pittsburgh in 1825 and together they formed Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary. This institution was later augmented by the resources of Newburgh Seminary, founded in New York City in 1805 by John Mitchell Mason.

This society recognizes donors who have contributed $1,000+ to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

1959 Giving Society

The 1959 Giving Society recognizes donors who have supported the Seminary for 10+ consecutive years of giving.

This society is named after the consolidation of two previously separate institutions, Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary of the United Presbyterian Church of North America and Western Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in 1959, which led to the formation of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Since the 1959 consolidation, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has been located on the former Pittsburgh-Xenia Seminary campus in the Highland Park/East Liberty section of Pittsburgh.

Giving Circles

The Seminary recognizes a number of giving circles based on gift amount.

Visionaries $10,000+
Founders $5,000-$9,999
Leaders $1,000-$4,999
Patrons $500-$999
Sustainers $250-$499
Sponsors $1-$249

Giving Clubs

Giving Clubs recognize donors who have given $10,000+ in lifetime giving.

Neighbors $1,000,000+
Mentors $500,000-$999,999
Classmates $100,000-$499,999
Friends $50,000-$99,999
Colleagues $10,000-$49,999

2021-2022 UnaUdiTed oPeraTing bUdgeT

Revenue

Endowments

66 percent
$8.6 million

The Endowment Fund at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is truly a living legacy supporting the Seminary’s mission. The Finance Committee of the Seminary’s Board carefully monitors the fund and ensures that the draw from the endowment is conservative enough to support long-term growth, thereby ensuring the Seminary’s future.

Tuition and Fees

10 percent
$1.3 million

Years ago the church supplied seminarians with the funds to cover the cost of tuition, housing, and fees. Today, students must provide part of their own educational and living expenses. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the income from endowment, these costs are kept as low as possible for the students at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Gifts and Grants

10 percent
$1.3 million

Unrestricted gifts to the Seminary’s Annual Fund support the overall ministry and mission of Pittsburgh Seminary and provide generous financial aid. Restricted gifts and grants from individuals, foundations, and corporations fund special projects and programs.

Auxiliary Enterprises

3 percent
$0.5 million

This category includes income from campus housing, food services, and other items.

Other Sources

11 percent
$1.4 million

Other sources of income include interest on working capital, vending machines, etc.

Total Revenue $13.2 million

Click on the image below to see a full-size version detailing our revenues.

Expenses

Instruction

28 percent
$3.5 million

Instruction costs represent faculty salaries and benefits, support staff and materials for faculty, the Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry, the Center for Writing and Learning Support, the Metro-Urban Institute, and the World Mission Initiative.

Institutional Support

30 percent
$3.8 million

This figure includes expenses related to offices providing support services such as Field Education, Human Resources, Information Technology, Advancement, the President, and beyond.

Financial Aid

10 percent
$1.2 million

At the master’s level, 75 percent of our students received financial aid this year; at the doctor of ministry level, 60 percent of our students received aid. Our goal is to increase aid to students so that the amount of money borrowed by students through loan programs decreases.

Academic Support

9 percent
1.1 million

Included here are the expenditures related to the Academic Dean’s Office, the Barbour Library, the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology, and worship.

Auxiliary Enterprises

8 percent
1.0 million

While the Seminary does receive income from auxiliary enterprises including housing rental and food services, the actual costs of these services are subsidized. This subsidy helps keep students’ seminary-related costs at a minimum.

Student Services

7 percent
0.9 million

This item includes services provided to students prior to and following enrollment. Expenses include the offices of Admissions, Registrar, and Financial Aid, counseling, the Student Association, the Miller Summer Youth Institute, and other items.

Operation and Maintenance of Plant

6 percent
0.8 million

These expenditures include items related to the ongoing routine care and maintenance of the Seminary’s campus through buildings, grounds, and security services.

Church and Community Services

2 percent
0.3 million

The cost of the Seminary’s Continuing Education program is included here. By subsidizing the full schedule of lectures, workshops, and events, the Seminary serves the Church and community.

Total Expenditures $12.6 million

Click on the image below to see a full-size version detailing our expenses