In addition to annual gifts, MIT relies on leadership gifts to fulfill its important mission, attract the most talented students and faculty, and build a better world. Leadership gifts (generally gifts of $100,000 or more) may be for current use—renovating a building, funding financial aid, or establishing a new research program, for example; or for the MIT endowment.

MIT’s endowment is a pool of more than 3,500 funds donated over the Institute’s 150-year history. The funds are invested collectively, and a portion of the annual income is spent on a variety of programs and priorities specified by donors. The principal is never spent and grows over time, sustaining the strength of the Institute over the very long term.

At MIT, building a better world isn’t just something we say. It’s who we are and what we do. It infuses our culture. We are curious, creative, collaborative, and unafraid to tackle big challenges. Inspired by 150 years of practical optimism, we are passionate about creating tools and technologies that solve real problems and sharing them wherever they may do the most good.

MIT seeks leadership support of undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, professorships, and campus renewal, as well as five key priorities:

• Discovery Science
• Environment and Sustainability
• Human Health
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Teaching, Learning, and Living
   

Why Give?

Alumni and friends choose to make leadership gifts for a many reasons—to express their gratitude for the role MIT has played in their lives, strengthen and advance the Institute, have a positive impact on the world, or leave a legacy. We invite you to support MIT.
 

“I support economics at MIT because it is where I learned from Nobel laureates …and other great teachers and fellow students, and it’s where I acquired the knowledge, interests, and skills that served me so well for my 40-year career.”

–Avinash Dixit PhD ’68

“[MIT] influenced our careers—indeed, our lives—in so many ways. We owe MIT a lot. We met the first week of classes and married two days after graduation. And our MIT degrees and contacts have led to stimulating careers. For 50 years, the Institute has been an important force in our lives.”

–Gail ’68, SM ’68, ScD ’71 and Michael ’68, ScD ’72 Marcus