According to its charter, the Founding Grant Society "is intended to convey to those whom it honors that in so acting, the Stanfords' university also becomes their university, and that each individual act of support reaffirms the Stanfords' promise to children about the future … that it will be better, that they are needed to make it better, and that a legacy of education will serve them more than any other."

The society is open to all who provide support for Stanford in their estate plans through wills, trusts, life income gifts, retirement plans, life insurance designations, and other vehicles. Membership involves no dues or obligations of any kind. From time to time, the university holds special events for Founding Grant Society members. Guest speakers include Stanford faculty, alumni, and friends.

Occasionally, the university and its schools, institutes, and programs publicly recognize Founding Grant Society members who have expressly given permission to list their names. Many of the over 2400 members have allowed their names to be published; others wish to remain anonymous, and the Office of Planned Giving is happy to honor their wishes.

The Office of Planned Giving can help you with everything from simple bequests to gifts of retirement plan assets, real property, appreciated securities, and the complete range of life income gifts, including charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, and pooled income funds.

If you have a question regarding bequests or other deferred gifts, their tax consequences, and their use at Stanford, or if you think you qualify for membership in the Founding Grant Society, please contact the Planned Giving office at (800) 227-8977, ext. 5-4358. You may also print out a Founding Grant Society application (PDF) here and send or fax it to us.