Daniel Zhao

As the end of Yale and New Haven’s voluntary contribution agreement approaches in 2026, both parties are beginning to discuss what future contributions from the University will look like.

Along with establishing a new Center for Inclusive Growth and introducing several tax offsets, the 2021 agreement was historic in including the highest-ever voluntary contribution from the University to New Haven. According to the University’s Office of New Haven Affairs, Yale makes the largest voluntary payment to a single home city of all universities in America.

The University has given New Haven $23.2 million every year, an increase of $10 million. The total voluntary contribution during the six-year agreement will equal $135.4 million.

2026 may seem far off, but Mayor Justin Elicker believes it’s time to begin discussing potential increases in Yale’s voluntary contribution to the city. Negotiations for the 2021 agreement took over a year.

“It’s clear that we need to start rolling up our sleeves and start talking about the future of Yale’s payments to the city,” he said. “Yale made a very, very large step forward under the leadership of Salovey. My strong view is that it should take additional steps in helping out the city.”

Elicker described the nature of early conversations about voluntary contributions as “regularly scheduled meetings,” saying that McInnis is “always very responsive.” McInnis echoed this, describing them as “working closely.”

Ward 15 Alder Frank Redente, who represents part of Fair Haven, also believes that though Yale has been a good partner to the city, it can be an even better one.

“This city is in need, and especially now, in this climate facing the prospect of federal funding freezes,” Redente said. “[Yale] has the capabilities to make real, substantive change in this city.”

The importance of voluntary contribution can’t be understated, according to Redente. 

He added that by increasing contributions, the University could help “plug holes” in the city’s finances. 

“Programs and all that are great, but money talks,” Redente said. 

Jack Callahan ’80, senior vice president for operations at the University, recalled his pride at reaching the “finish line” of the voluntary contribution agreement in 2021.

“I firmly believe that there are more ways for us to work together … than there is for either side trying to extort either support or money from the other,” Callahan said. 

Callahan will retire this year, and he is hopeful that the agreement, along with the Center of Inclusive Growth that it started, has set the tone and laid the foundation for further collaborations. 

“All of us understand that the city’s future financial stability is important for not just New Haven but for Yale,” Elicker said. 

The current agreement was announced in November 2021.