The Donor Relations Team shares with our donors the impact of their gifts on the University. We achieve this by working closely with Jehuda Reinharz, PhD '72, the president of the University, and Nancy Winship, P '10, the senior vice president of institutional advancement, to provide written acknowledgement of the most generous gifts made to the University, written reports on endowed funds, donor recognition events like our annual Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon, and the creation of plaques and other signage. In addition, working closely with the Offices of the Treasurer and Budget and Planning, we ensure that all endowed funds are utilized properly on an annual basis, according to the donor’s intent.

We steward donors on the following types of endowed funds:

Undergraduate Scholarships

Approximately 75 percent of undergraduate students rely on scholarship support for some of their tuition, and countless students have felt that without the support they receive, they would not have been able to attend the University. A Brandeis education is perhaps the greatest gift a donor can give to a deserving scholar, and it is with pleasure that we show donors how their gifts have impacted the lives of young people. Scholarship donors receive reports on their scholarship’s recipient(s), and, in many cases, build a relationship with the students through personal meetings or correspondence.

Graduate Fellowships

While three-quarters of our undergraduate student body relies on financial support, almost our entire graduate student population depends on it. Donors who choose to support graduate students and their research receive reports on their student recipients and their fellows’ research, publications, and achievements, as well as the opportunity to make a personal connection with these future leaders.

Faculty Chairs

Endowed chairs provide our renowned faculty members with the support they need for their groundbreaking research and award-winning teaching. Donors to named professorships receive annual reports on their chair incumbent’s research and teaching, as well as copies of their publications.

Academic and Student Life Prizes

Brandeis students are, without a doubt, future leaders of the community. We take great pride in the many students who embody the University’s mission and spirit. Donors who choose to create student prizes are kept informed of annual recipients, and receive a copy of each year’s Commencement program, which lists all named prizes.

Capital Projects

Brandeis is graced with many beautiful yet functional work spaces because of the generosity of donors. Donors who make significant gifts to create or improve buildings or upgrade the campus receive reports on the buildings or spaces, as well as the programs, departments, centers, and institutes that they house and/or the faculty members and students they support. Our office also ensures that donors’ gifts to capital projects are honored with the proper recognition on campus through plaques or other signage and printed materials.

Centers and Institutes

Brandeis is renowned for its forward-thinking centers and institutes that draw upon our strength in interdisciplinary work. These centers and institutes and their staff often influence political, community, and academic initiatives, and are frequently cited in the media. Donors who invest in these programs receive updated reports on their activities and future plans, and have the opportunity to participate in program events and communicate with the staff.