Parents Fund

What is it?
The Hopkins Parents Fund is a special gift-giving program for parents of undergraduate students. The deep interest and generous support of parents have made a significant difference in helping Hopkins maintain its position as an international leader in higher education and in enhancing students’ out-of-class experiences.

How does it help?
Parents direct their gifts to all areas of the university. However, unrestricted gifts–gifts given without condition to the Parents Fund–are the most useful for Hopkins. Such gifts allow Susan Boswell, Dean of Student Life, and Paula Burger, Dean for Undergraduate Education, to respond to opportunities for strengthening and enriching undergraduate life whenever these opportunities arise and to meet unanticipated student needs immediately, without having to wait for the next budget cycle. Recent gifts to the Parents Fund have supported the following projects:

	Wynton Marsalis Concert
	Support for Fall Festival
	“Explore the World Around You” — trips to cultural events in New York City, Washington, D.C., and local museums
	“Four-Course Meals” — a series of 5 mini-seminars over dinner in Charles Commons with Homewood faculty members
	A grand piano for the AMR multi-purpose room
	Artwork for the residence halls
	Support for Charles Commons’ amenities space
	Flash-Ad campus event advertising system

The 2007-2008 Parents Fund goal is $500,000.

Of course, you may also designate your gift directly to the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences or the Whiting School of Engineering. Each dean will then use those funds for the most pressing academic needs of their school.

What size gifts are needed?
Parents give gifts of all sizes. Gifts are votes of enthusiasm and appreciation for the education that Hopkins offers, and each gift sets an example for and inspires others to give, ensuring the University’s success in meeting the needs of its undergraduates. Participation from significant numbers of parents will also help attract grants from corporations and foundations.

What about Leadership Gifts?
The University also welcomes leadership gifts, and invites parents to play a key role in fulfilling the mission and promise of Johns Hopkins by joining one of the Leadership Circles. In addition to providing critically important support to the University, membership in a Leadership Circle brings the benefit of invitations to special Hopkins events, the opportunity to meet Hopkins leaders, and an invitation to attend an annual dinner honoring leadership supporters of the University.

Parents who make annual Parents Fund contributions of $5,000 or above become members of the National Parents Committee and are recognized on the Charles Commons donor wall.

How do I make a gift to the Parents Fund?