At the launch of the MIT Campaign for a Better World in May 2016, President L. Rafael Reif called upon the Institute’s alumni and friends to join MIT in its effort to raise $5 billion to take on some of humanity’s most urgent global challenges. Propelled by strong support for the Campaign, the Institute ended fiscal year 2017 in June with $589 million in new gifts and pledges, amounting to the highest annual fundraising total in MIT’s history. As of January 2018, $4 billion had been raised in the Campaign from more than 91,000 individuals and organizations.
“We are extremely grateful for this show of confidence in MIT,” says Julie A. Lucas, MIT’s vice president for resource development. “We are particularly thankful to our leadership volunteers, who are dedicating their time and wisdom to helping us realize our vision. It will take the entire community continuing to come together to meet our ambitious financial goal and fulfill our bold aspirations for MIT and what it can contribute to the world.”
I encourage you to look at Memory Project, a 501c3, that connects US middle and high school art students with overseas children living in impoverished conditions. This year 1,100 US schools are participating. It teaches overseas children they are valued and US students learn global awareness and kindness. It’s a great platform for additional initiatives that may interest you. This is not an appeal for money, but for imagination. See http://www.memoryproject.org
Bill Small, MCP 1967
As parents of MIT students, how can we best help this effort?