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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.

22%

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.

50%

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.

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.

This year, in the face of the economic crisis, Stanford is taking unprecedented budgetary steps toward addressing the increased need for financial aid.

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.

84%

of students graduated debt-free in 2020.

1 in 6

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

$14,947

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

317

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 receives need-based aid from the university, thanks to The Stanford Fund and endowed scholarships.

Phoebe Quinton

Why I give

Chinedum Ottih 10

“Many of my fondest and most rewarding experiences occurred at Stanford. My time there was truly transformative and continues to pay dividends. I’m excited about playing a small role to pay some of that forward.”

Chinedum Ottih, ’10
10th reunion campaign co-chair

Christina Dickerson 85

“Stanford truly made an impact on my life. While there, I learned how to think and seek out opportunity, and gained an everlasting and growing community of friends. Whatever small role I can play in supporting Stanford is time well spent.”

Christina Reid Dickerson, ’85
35th reunion campaign co-chair

James Higa 80

“I came to Stanford as a bewildered 18-year-old with no inkling of what lay ahead. Stanford was transformative in shaping the arc of my life’s journey. I volunteer and give back with gratitude, and pay it forward with hope for those who are yet to come.”

James Higa, ’80
40th reunion campaign co-chair

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. For example, in 2020, Stanford Fund gifts provided immediate emergency assistance for students most impacted by the pandemic. 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

  • This year, Stanford has committed an initial $25 million in 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 an initial $25 million in 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.)

    Minimum donor gift to qualify for university matching funds:

    • $500,000

    • $250,000 for recent grads (alumni 15 or fewer years from their undergraduate graduation year)

    Maximum individual gift (per donor household) that will be matched:

    • $5 million

    How the match works to increase student support:
    The donor’s gift will be split between funds for annual scholarships (25 percent) and endowed permanent scholarships (75 percent). The university match will be added to the donor’s endowed fund.

    For example, for a donor gift of $1 million (with a university match of $500,000):

    • $250,000 is directed to annual Stanford Fund Scholarships.

    • $750,000 is directed to the donor’s endowed fund.

    • $500,000 university match is applied to the endowed fund.

    • $1.25 million is the total endowed fund, after match.

    This gift will provide:

    • Ten one-year Stanford Fund Scholarships grants (total over five years)*

    • Support the full demonstrated need for one to two students each year in perpetuity**


    * 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.

  • 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 young alumni who received their undergraduate degrees 15 or fewer years ago.

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

    • Professorships: $4 million

    • Senior Fellows: $3 million

    • Faculty Scholars: $2 million

    • Graduate Fellowships: $1.2 million

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

    • President’s Fund
      $10,000 or more ($25,000 or more establishes a Stanford Fund Scholarship)
      $5,000 or more for young alumni five to nine years after graduation and $1,000 or more for one to four years

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

    • Leadership Circle
      $1,000 or more
      $500 or more for young alumni five to nine years after graduation and $100 or more for one to four years

2020 reunion campaigns

Your class reunion campaigns are extended through December 31, 2021.

All gifts and pledges made from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2021, count toward your class campaign—and make a real difference for today’s students.

2021 reunion campaigns

Your class reunion campaign runs through December 31, 2021.

All gifts and pledges made from January 1 through December 31, 2021, count toward your class campaign—and make 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

Maurice Werdegar 86

“I made great friends at Stanford, but its true lasting impact on me is the sense of community and pride it has provided decades later. Seeing Stanford take a leading role in many of the important issues we are grappling with as a society today is heartening and inspiring.”

Maurice Werdegar, ’86
35th reunion campaign co-chair

Regina Wallace-Jones 96

“Stanford changed the trajectory of my life. Most of the beautiful things in my life today derived from Stanford (including my husband). I am grateful for my experience, and I am squeezing all of the moisture out of time to make sure that future generations receive every bit of what I received from this incredible institution.”

Regina Wallace-Jones, ’96
25th reunion campaign co-chair

Shivani Baisiwali 16

“Attending Stanford was an incredibly transformative experience for me, and one that I will always value as having set me up for success. I am volunteering in order to give back to that community and pay it forward to classes and students coming after me.”

Shivani Baisiwala, ’16
5th reunion campaign co-chair