Our History

FTE is the only national, ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. Our legacy and our mission today focus on supporting future pastors, those who teach them and the communities that call them — all to renew the church and to serve the common good.

More on our history (PDF)

Our History

The Fund for Theological Education was established in the early 1950s. At that time, a national group of top seminary educators, clergy and civic leaders had become increasingly concerned that the quality of those entering the ministry had declined and that many of the most talented students were choosing professional careers outside the ministry. In order to encourage outstanding college graduates to consider pastoral ministry, a bold and unprecedented initiative was launched in 1954 to attract promising but otherwise undecided candidates to seminary education.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

The philanthropy of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. made the early work of the Fund possible, awarding highly regarded fellowships through the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Harvard President Nathan Pusey and Morehouse College President Benjamin E. Mays were founding trustees of what evolved to become The Fund for Theological Education (FTE). Theologian Frederick Buechner and the Rev. William Gray were among early fellowship recipients, sparking a legacy of excellence and diversity.

Author and theologian Frederick Buechner was a 1954–1955 Rockefeller Fellow.

Later, in close affiliation with the American Association of Theological Schools, FTE grew in scope and size to become a significant catalyst for identifying and supporting gifted leaders for ministry, and for the wider inclusion of African American, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American doctoral students preparing to teach religion, theology or biblical studies in theological schools. To date, the Fund has awarded more than 6,000 to talented leaders who today serve congregations, campuses and communities. 

Benjamin E. Mays, president of Morehouse College, was a leading voice on the Fund’s board from its inception to the early 1970s.

In 1998, with support from Lilly Endowment Inc., FTE experienced a renaissance in reaching out to gifted young people across North America. Since then, more than 90 percent of FTE Ministry Program Fellows have become leaders in congregations or church-related organizations. And, some 79 percent of FTE Doctoral Fellows over the past decade are now faculty preparing future pastors in the classrooms of North American theological schools.

Margaret Howland was an early Rockefeller Fellow.

Over the past five years, FTE's work has accelerated at a grassroots level, involving local churches in its Calling Congregations initiative. The Calling Congregations network connects local congregations and church-related organizations who care about quality leadership and renewing the Christian church. This growing movement engages members in using local vocation care practices that call young leaders and encourage all members to ask and explore the question, "What will I do with my life in light of my faith?"

“For 50 years, FTE has strengthened the quality and diversity of ministry and scholarship across denominations.”
— Dr. Jonathan Strom, Emory University

FTE Fellowships Timeline

• Rockefeller Brothers Theological Fellowships (Trial Year Program) (1954-76), 1192 scholars
• Rockefeller Doctoral Fellowships (1959-69), 322 scholars
• Protestant Fellowship Program (1961-76), 445 scholars
• Ministerial Recruitment Program (1964-76)
• Rome Ecumenical Seminar (1968-69), 50 scholars
• Parish Ministers Fellowship Program (1969-76), 120 scholars
• Rockefeller Doctoral Fellowships (1970-76), 106 scholars
• North American Ministerial Fellowships (1976-94), 748 scholars
• Special Opportunity Fellowships for the Doctoral Study of Religion for Black North Americans (1976-78), 26 scholars
• Special Opportunity Fellowships for Blacks in Ministry (1976-78), 105 scholars
• Special Opportunity Fellowships for the Doctoral Study of Religion for Hispanic Americans (1976-78), 9 scholars
• Special Opportunity Fellowships for Hispanics in Ministry (1976-78), 39 scholars
• Doctoral Scholarships for the Study of Religion for Black North Americans (1978-96), 329 scholars
• Benjamin E. Mays Scholarships for Ministry (1978-96), 793 scholars
• Doctoral Fellowships for the Study of Religion for Hispanic Americans (1978-96), 168 scholars
• Fellowships for Hispanic Americans Preparing for Christian Ministries (1978-95), 473 scholars
• Fairfax-Muskiwinni Scholarships for Black Women (1985-89)
• Hispanic Summer Program (1988-95)
• Urban Ministry Program (1989-93), 57 scholars
• Ministry Fellows Program; seminarians, undergraduates and participants in faith-based volunteer service organizations (1998-present), 1,200 students 
• Doctoral Fellows Program; doctoral students in religion, theology and biblical studies (1998-present), 275 students