With You: The WashU Campaign FAQs
WashU is steadfast in our commitment to mobilize research, education, and patient care to establish WashU and St. Louis as a global hub for transformative solutions to the deepest societal challenges.
As Chancellor Martin has said, “WashU is a leading example of what a 21st century research university can do to make the world a better place. We have a moral obligation to continue this legacy and ask the community to join us on our quest.”
With engagement and philanthropy, we will create a more promising world for all. With You: The WashU Campaign will accelerate our goals to foster healthier lives, greater access to education, flourishing communities, and future-ready leaders.
For more information, please visit withyou.washu.edu.
Generous contributions from our alumni, parents, and friends over many decades have transformed WashU into the outstanding institution it is today — a hub for life-changing research and education.
Building on this strong foundation, the With You campaign will propel us forward into the future. Whether endowed or spendable, your gift to support faculty, students, or research can significantly enhance WashU’s ability to make an impact on St. Louis, and around the globe. Every gift, regardless of size, makes a difference and helps us pursue our mission. To learn more, please explore our campaign gift form.
Philanthropic investment in our strengths will ignite change in our community and the world. Every gift counts. Learn more about our priorities:
- WashU Medicine (PDF coming soon)
- Our NEW School of Public Health (PDF coming soon)
- Academic Distinction (PDF coming soon)
- Scholarships (PDF coming soon)
- Annual Fund (PDF coming soon)
Launched in 2022, Make Way aimed to increase support for all talented students pursuing a WashU education and to provide them with a transformative student experience. We are deeply grateful to the 54,000 alumni, parents, and friends who contributed to Make Way, and we are delighted to include their support in the With You campaign.
With the public launch of With You, the Make Way name is phased out. However, supporting students remains one of our highest priorities. Philanthropic contributions to scholarships and the student experience will continue to ensure that we can welcome, embrace, and support our exceptional student body. This commitment allows us to admit the brightest and most talented students based on merit, regardless of their financial background.
To learn more about why your gift matters, please visit: Sustaining Student Support in the Long Term. Your support is crucial to maintaining the excellence and inclusivity of a WashU education.
Washington University’s endowment provides stable support for current operations while preserving purchasing power for future generations. It is not a savings account to be drawn from directly; instead, it generates an annual distribution, typically around 4.5%. This annual distribution serves as the university’s third-largest revenue stream behind patient care and research grants and contributes approximately 11% to the university’s operating budget. Endowment funds are predominantly established through gifts and are used for specific purposes designated by the original donor. For instance, a gift to support medical research cannot be reallocated to fund undergraduate scholarships, and vice versa.
Gifts to the endowment are powerful, long-term commitments to the university’s future. A notable example is Eliza (Lizzy) McMillan’s estate bequest of $107,148 in 1915, to support access to education through scholarships. The value of this endowment fund has grown to more than $5 million, and the Eliza McMillan Scholarship has benefited over 500 students. What an enduring legacy!
For additional information about WashU’s endowment, please visit Chancellor Martin’s series on the endowment or endowment.wustl.edu.
The campaign counting period for With You: The WashU Campaign began on January 1, 2019, and is expected to conclude on December 31, 2030. Contributions that are part of this campaign include new gifts, multi-year pledges, estate plan inclusions, and life income gifts made within this timeframe. Please note that certain exclusions may apply.
Learn about planned giving opportunities here: Planned Giving – Giving to WashU
The university aims to raise at least $5 billion by the conclusion of the campaign. Instead of focusing solely on financial milestones, we will highlight the transformative impact our community of supporters is making on WashU and the broader world.
Washington University is committed to its mission of teaching, research, and patient care, regardless of political or social challenges. Our leadership closely monitors developments at the state and national levels that could affect these critical areas.
If you would like to learn more about these efforts or become an advocate for WashU, please visit Advocacy & Engagement – Government & Community Relations.