Families Help Stanford Students Thrive
In partnership with Stanford’s faculty, staff, and administrators, we are a community that cares deeply about our students’ education, growth, safety, and well-being.
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A long history of giving by family, friends, and alumni has helped make Stanford the wonderful place it is. You can continue this legacy by supporting today’s students through The Stanford Fund.
How The Stanford Fund supports students
From move-in day to graduation—and all the moments in between—you have a hand in your student’s experiences at Stanford. Chances are, The Stanford Fund does, too.
The Stanford Fund for Undergraduate Education plays a major role in the uniquely diverse Stanford environment. When you give through The Stanford Fund, all students, including your own, benefit from your generosity.
Making a Stanford education accessible to all
From the university’s early days, generous parents, families, alumni, and friends have made it possible for all admitted students, regardless of their background, to find their place at Stanford. The university’s need-blind admission practice is sustained by the promise to meet the full demonstrated need of all U.S. undergraduates throughout their four years on campus—through scholarships, not loans.
The need for scholarship support has never been greater. About half of all Stanford students depend on need-based financial aid from the university. The Stanford Fund bridges the gap between scholarship funding and total student need.
Helping students ignite their passion, find their voice, and expand their world
More than 130 student-run groups, including performing arts clubs, public service groups, and club sports teams, received support from The Stanford Fund last year. A core part of your student’s Stanford experience, these vibrant, diverse communities help to expand perspectives, create friendships, and foster leadership, team building, and other skills that last a lifetime.
Advancing curricula and expanding learning for all students
All three schools that grant undergraduate degrees—Humanities and Sciences, Engineering, and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability—receive support from The Stanford Fund. This support has made a variety of academic and research programs possible—from interactive chemistry classes and expanded studio and electronic arts to opportunities for undergraduates to work alongside prominent faculty on cutting-edge research.
Support for what matters, when it’s needed
In fiscal year 2023-24, more than 2,500 parents collectively contributed $5.5 million through The Stanford Fund. Unlike gifts to most of the university's endowed or other restricted funds, Stanford Fund gifts are flexible and go to work right away in support of undergrad priorities and academic opportunities. And, when critical needs arise, that flexibility means funds can be quickly directed to where they’re needed most.
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Stanford Fund Parent and Family Partners
As a parent or guardian of a current undergrad, when you contribute $2,500 or more annually (per family) through The Stanford Fund, you join the ranks of Parent and Family Partners. Because tuition only covers about half of a Stanford education, annual giving provides a reliable source of support for all undergrads. Parent and Family Partner members also receive invitations to special events and recognition in Stanford publications.
Ways to get involved
Stanford parent volunteers
Join in! Get involved with the Stanford Alumni Association in your area, host or assist with Stanford gatherings, or make a gift. However you choose to help, your participation makes a difference. Contact (650) 736-7554 or parentfamilygiving@stanford.edu.
Parent and Family Partners Committee
The Parent and Family Partners Committee raises funds by spreading the word about giving at the Parent and Family Partners level ($2,500 or more annually, per family). Committee volunteers are invited to special events. You can complete our volunteer form here.
The Parent and Family Advisory Board
Leading the way in parent volunteerism, the advisory board assists with fundraising and outreach events and provides important feedback to the university’s administration. This group of more than 50 families from around the world typically meets three times per year.
Why participate
We had wonderful experiences at Stanford that shaped our lives. Now we enjoy helping our children and their classmates get the most from their Stanford experiences. Gifts through The Stanford Fund for Undergraduate Education sustain the academic programs and extracurricular activities that help undergrads become successful adults, engaged and motivated global citizens, and lifelong friends and colleagues who support each other.
Juliet, MBA ’94, and Peter Seymour, ’89, MBA ’94
Parents ’20, ’24, ’27
Co-Chairs, Parent and Family Advisory Board
“In my short time here, I have learned so much about myself and about the world. Stanford has helped me diversify my perspectives and become a better global citizen. The generosity of Stanford Fund donors inspires me. I hope someday I can give back to society by assisting other financially challenged families and students.”
Joanne Lim, ’22
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“At Stanford, I have taken classes that stretched my mind to its limits, talked to guest speakers who are prominent in their fields, and met amazing friends. I am immensely grateful for the scholarship support that helps students like me achieve our dreams at this amazing university.”
Jupinder Parmar, ’22
“I want you to know that I am going to do my very best to honor your generosity. In the long run, I want to take the opportunities that Stanford offers me and turn my life and my life’s work into something that will benefit the greater good.”
Jack Roche, ’23
Meet our team
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Jane Harrison
Senior Director, Stanford Parent and Family Engagement
(650) 725-6881
j.girvin.harrison@stanford.edu
Jane has worked at Stanford in various roles since 2003 and became the director of the Stanford Parent and Family Engagement program in 2011. Prior to Stanford, Jane was the director of annual giving at the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. She earned her bachelor's degree from Queen’s University in Canada.
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Ceci Evangelista
Senior Associate Director, Stanford Parent and Family Engagement
(650) 725-4285
ceci@stanford.edu
Ceci has worked at Stanford for more than 30 years, serving as associate director of the Stanford Parent and Family Engagement program since 2016. Ceci received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford.
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Ruth Vera-Cedro
Assistant Director, Stanford Parent and Family Engagement
(650) 736-7554
rverac@stanford.edu
Ruth joined Stanford in 2012 as development coordinator for university major gifts, East Coast. She then moved to Stanford Medical Center Development to be assistant director, cancer programs, before joining the Stanford Parent and Family Engagement program in 2017. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Santa Clara University.
Lola Olamijulo
Development Coordinator, University Major Gifts
(650) 725-1879
lolade@stanford.edu
Lola became a part of Stanford in May 2023, assuming the role of development coordinator for the Stanford Parent and Family Engagement program and the undergraduate education team. Her academic journey includes obtaining a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Merced, followed by a master's degree in international relations from San Francisco State University.
Ready to make a gift?
Supporting students, fueling groundbreaking research, advancing solutions to societal challenges—your gifts to Stanford drive positive change in the world.