Seniors for The Stanford Fund

Philanthropy literally means “goodwill to other humans.” In practice, it refers to providing support for organizations, causes, or initiatives that are important to you. 

For example, a gift through The Stanford Fund allows you to give back to a community that has helped you become who you are today and ensures that the same—or better—opportunities are accessible to other students. Your philanthropy can also include your support for organizations that align with your passions, such as an animal shelter or an agency that provides relief aid during an emergency, like the California wildfires. Philanthropy is sometimes simply referred to as “giving” and can also include gifts of your time and talents.

The Stanford Fund, the annual fund for undergraduate education, provides vital flexibility for supporting students.

The majority of gifts to Stanford—and almost 80 percent of endowment funds—are restricted. Funds given for research, for example, cannot be used for financial aid. However, Stanford Fund contributions can be used to address the areas of greatest need or to meet unexpected expenses in undergraduate education.

When you give through The Stanford Fund, you can also designate what your gift supports. Options include undergraduate financial aid, mental health initiatives, academic innovation, student life, student groups, undergraduate academics, or the Opportunity Fund. Targeted gifts sustain these initiatives and allow you to advocate for an even brighter future for Stanford students.

The endowment provides a steady stream of income, but only if spending is held to about 5 percent annually. Every year, the university must fund more than three-quarters of its operating expenses—which includes financial aid, student and academic programming , and other areas integral to the undergraduate experience—from other sources, including gifts from donors. 

Additionally, most of Stanford’s more than 8,000 endowed funds are designated for specific purposes, such as supporting first-generation college students or advancing a particular field of study. Stanford has a legal and fiduciary obligation to use these funds as intended.

For more details about the purpose and limitations of the endowment, we recommend this article in Stanford Magazine.

Every cause is important and no gift is too small. When seniors give through The Stanford Fund, your gifts are doubled by a generous donor, amplifying our impact on the causes that matter to us, helping to transform Stanford for future generations. 

As Stanford’s soon-to-be most recent alumni, you know best how programs and initiatives impact the undergraduate experience. Giving through The Stanford Fund, no matter the size of your gift, is a way for seniors to voice your support for the undergraduate programs at Stanford that matter most to current students—and make your priorities heard. 

Many philanthropists give simply because they like knowing that they are helping someone, regardless of the size of their gift. In this way, giving can have a personal impact as well.