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Stanford
Giving

Leadership Giving in Your Reunion Year

A reunion campaign offers meaningful opportunities to give back to Stanford during your reunion year. Philanthropy is key to advancing a range of university-wide priorities—including patient care, research, faculty support, undergraduate education, and financial aid.

Reunion giving is a tradition at Stanford, and you have an important role to play.

The Stanford Band

Why give at the leadership level?

From the university’s first days, a Stanford education has been subsidized by the generosity of the founders, alumni, and other donors. When you make a leadership gift, you have a powerful impact on students’ lives and inspire others to give back.

21.4%

of Stanford’s operating expenses are covered by the endowment, which means that more than two-thirds of the university’s operating expenses must be funded from other sources.

46%

of all Stanford undergraduates now receive need-based aid directly from the university.

15%

of university revenue comes from tuition, and tuition covers only about one-half of the real cost of undergraduate education at Stanford.

75%

of Stanford’s endowment is restricted, limiting the university’s ability to spend more to cover expenses as needed.

The many ways to make an impact

All gifts to Stanford count toward our class gift. Together, our class can help prepare students to be leaders, pioneer new technologies, and create new standards of medical care.

Learn about other areas you can support with your reunion gift.

Scholarships: A defining commitment

While there are many ways to give in honor of your reunion, undergraduate scholarships are among the university’s highest fundraising priorities.

Stanford’s long-standing practice of need-blind admission is backed by a promise to meet the full demonstrated need of all U.S. undergraduates throughout their four years on campus. Only a handful of colleges and universities can uphold such a pledge.

Endowed scholarship funds are the foundation of Stanford’s financial aid program. Dedicated to supporting students in perpetuity, they help carry Stanford’s commitment into the future.

Expendable scholarships through The Stanford Fund help bridge the gap between endowed scholarships and other sources of financial aid. The combination of endowed and expendable gifts enable Stanford to keep its historic promise to students.

To amplify the university’s commitment to the affordability and access of a Stanford education, a generous match is being offered to support and increase the impact of leadership gifts to financial aid. The Fast Forward Match provides a 1:2 match to fund current-use Stanford Fund scholarships and endowed need-based scholarships.

Learn more about an exciting matching opportunity to increase the impact of your scholarship gift.

87%

of students graduated debt-free in 2021.

20%

of new Stanford undergraduates are among the first generation in their families to attend a four-year university.

$13,700

is the median amount of debt for Stanford students who do take out loans—far below the national average.

410

students received Stanford Fund Scholarships this past year.

It is undoubtedly clear to me that attending Stanford has changed the course of my life. Even on my most exhausting days here, I remain in awe of and inspired by the immense network of opportunity and support.

Phoebe Quinton, ’21

Like nearly half of all undergraduates, Phoebe received need-based aid from the university, thanks to The Stanford Fund and endowed scholarships.

Phoebe Quinton

Why I give

Liz Hartley

“Some of my most magical memories are from Stanford. I met some of the best and brightest minds, and the kaleidoscope of diversity was unparalleled. Stanford offers a warm and welcoming environment for interdisciplinary learning that can unlock many life changing opportunities.”

Liz Hartley, ’97

Mike Dorsey

“Stanford has been among the most important influences in my life. All students benefit from the generosity of others, and I want to help Stanford help other students.”

Michael Dorsey, ’77

Tai Li Chang

“My first gift to Stanford was right after I graduated. The amount didn’t matter—it just felt right to support my alma mater. Generations of alumni have made Stanford possible for so many students, and it's important that we continue this tradition to help coming generations.”

Tai-Li Chang, ’02

The impact of annual and multiyear giving

Many alumni choose to make annual gifts through The Stanford Fund because these gifts can have an immediate impact.

Stanford Fund gifts are unrestricted, so they can be used where they are most needed within the undergraduate program. In Stanford’s overall budget, very few sources provide this flexibility. When critical needs arise, The Stanford Fund plays a major role in meeting them.

Reunion commitments often take the form of multiyear pledges, typically over a five-year period. The entire amount of the pledge counts toward your class’ reunion giving total. Check your employer’s policy on matching gifts—your company may double or triple your reunion gift.

Many alumni commemorate reunions by combining an annual or multiyear commitment to The Stanford Fund with a gift of endowment for a scholarship, professorship, athletic program, or other purpose.

My 30th reunion is an opportunity to reflect on the pivotal role that the university has played in my life, both personally and professionally—and the impact Stanford has far beyond the Farm. As alumni, we have the opportunity to make a significant difference for others. I hope you’ll consider stepping up for your class campaign, in whatever way is most rewarding and meaningful for you.

Mike Morgan, ’90, MA ’90

Mike Morgan is the national chair of The Stanford Fund and co-chair of his 30th reunion campaign.

Mike Morgan 90

Ways to give

Endowed need-based undergraduate scholarships

Gifts of scholarship are critical to fulfilling Stanford’s pledge to meet the demonstrated financial needs for all qualified undergraduates.

  • $250,000 and up (can be made in multiyear pledges)

  • $175,000 and up when established by recent alums with undergrad degrees from 15 or fewer years ago

Gifts of endowment

Endowed funds establish permanent investments and provide a continuing source of support.

  • Professorships: $6 million

  • Senior Fellows: $6 million

  • Faculty Scholars: $4 million

  • Graduate Fellowships: $2 million

Leadership giving through The Stanford Fund

The Stanford Fund’s most generous annual donors are recognized at the following giving levels:

  • Stanford Fund Scholarship: $25,000 or more per year, or a pledge of $125,000 or more

  • President's Fund: $10,000 or more, or a pledge of $50,000 or more

  • President's Fund (young alumni): $5,000 or more for alums five to nine years after graduation, and $1,000 or more for alums one to five years after graduation

  • Leadership Circle: $1,000 or more, or a pledge of $5,000 to $49,999

  • Leadership Circle (young alumni): $500 or more for alums five to nine years after graduation, and $100 or more for alums one to four years after graduation

  • Parent Partners: $2,500 or more from parents of current undergraduates

Fast Forward Match

Stanford has committed matching funds to help simultaneously fund current-use Stanford Fund scholarships along with endowed need-based scholarships.

Signaling the importance of this scholarship fundraising effort, the university has committed matching funds, at a ratio of 1:2 (match amount to donor amount). The university match will be added to the donor’s endowed fund. Over time, the intention is to seek additional outside matching fund support to further expand this initiative’s impact on Stanford students. (Note: The match also applies to current-use Buck/Cardinal Scholarships combined with endowed athletic scholarships.)

How Fast Forward matching works:

* Based on Stanford Fund Scholarship award of $25K.

** Based on annual fund payout of 5.5% and average scholarship award of $52K. Because award amounts vary based on each student’s demonstrated need, the number of recipients supported will vary. As the endowed fund’s value increases over time, the fund may support more students.

2022 Reunion Giving Campaign

2022 reunion campaigns will run from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.

All gifts and pledges made during your reunion calendar year count towards your class campaign. Thank you for making a real difference for today’s students!

Be recognized

All reunion donors are recognized in online honor rolls published to the entire reunion class throughout the reunion year.

Additionally, reunion donors who give through The Stanford Fund at the President’s Fund Level ($10,000 or more) receive invitations to annual receptions and special events. A leadership gift of $25,000 or more per year establishes a Stanford Fund Scholarship and provides a range of benefits, including a personal connection to students.

Why I give

Rubi Kam

“So many of the experiences and memories that stick with us were enabled by generous alumni, and I'm eager to give back to the community that helped me accomplish amazing things.”

Rubi Ancajas Kam, ’12

Stanley Young

“Stanford opened up a broader world for me, and it continues to do the same for others. I’m proud to be part of the Stanford community, and to do what I can to help the university continue to make the world a better place.”

Stan Young, ’82

J Patrick Bennett

“Attending Stanford has been a great privilege. The education, network, and friendships continue to be a meaningful part of my life. It’s an honor to now give back.”

J Patrick Bennett, ’07