Looking Up: YaleSOAR Enters Its Third Year

Looking Up: YaleSOAR Enters Its Third Year

Jan 13, 2026

Yale students and development staff join forces to support student groups on campus through Yale Student Organizations Annual Raise (SOAR).  

Now in its third year, SOAR continues to expand in scale and impact. This year, 103 undergraduate student organizations will participate—a 22 percent increase and the largest cohort to date. From February 3–10, 2026, students will lead weeklong fundraising campaigns in support of the programs, experiences, and communities that shape student life at Yale.

Among this year’s featured organizations is the Yale Astronomical & Space Student Society (YASSS), which brings together undergraduates from across Yale to explore a shared interest in space and astronomy. 

Turning Curiosity into Experience

For members of YASSS, curiosity about the universe is the starting point. Open to students from all academic backgrounds, the organization offers opportunities to explore astronomy through hands-on experiences, social events, and public outreach. From stargazing nights on campus to telescope viewings and dark-sky trips beyond New Haven, YASSS creates accessible entry points for students to engage with astronomy—and with one another.

Many of these experiences require resources, from specialized equipment to travel beyond city lights. Through SOAR, YASSS raised funds to support a dark-sky observing trip, giving students the opportunity to gather under clearer skies and share an experience that is difficult to replicate on campus.

“The dark-sky trip was an incredible night of stargazing that brought together undergraduates and graduate students from across Yale’s disciplines,” Lucas Zimmerman, co-President of YASSS shared. “We had envisioned this experience from the moment YASSS was founded the previous semester, but watching it become real was unforgettable, and wouldn’t have been possible without the support from SOAR."

That blend of curiosity-driven exploration and student-led community building reflects the spirit of SOAR.

Supporting Student Life Across Campus

The organizations participating in SOAR 2025–26 reflect the full breadth of Yale College student life—from academic and professional groups to cultural organizations, performance ensembles, and service-focused clubs.

Dean Pericles Lewis sees YaleSOAR as closely aligned with the College’s priorities around fostering curricular innovation and strengthening a dynamic community of learning across the College.

“YaleSOAR brings learning, leadership, and community together—giving students meaningful, hands-on experience while supporting the organizations that shape life at Yale and strengthen our undergraduate community,” Lewis says.

Mentorship from the staff in Alumni Affairs & Development

Launched in 2023, YaleSOAR equips students with the tools and guidance to fundraise responsibly and effectively. Each participating organization is paired with a SOAR advisor, a professional from Alumni Affairs & Development, who partners closely with student leaders throughout the campaign.

Through this model, development staff draw on years of fundraising experience while helping students build practical skills in outreach, storytelling, and donor engagement—alongside leadership and project management skills that extend well beyond SOAR.

“SOAR is as much about relationships as it is about raising funds,” says Haley Sabitus Torab, Director of the Yale College Office of Development. “It creates meaningful connections between students and development staff, allowing our teams to share their expertise while students gain real experience in fundraising, communications, and leadership. It’s a collaborative learning process that benefits everyone involved.”

The program has demonstrated measurable results. Last year’s SOAR raised more than $140,000, and 58 percent of the 686 donors were first-time donors to the university. Ultimately, participating organizations raised an average of $1,600 each.

As YaleSOAR enters its third year, the program continues to evolve—deepening student engagement, strengthening partnerships between students and staff, and building lasting connections across generations of Yalies.