Stanford GSB Strategic Initiatives

Stanford GSB is continually pressing forward to keep the school at the forefront of management education.

The philanthropic commitment of investors may be directed toward gift opportunities aligned with personal areas of interest that support the school’s strategic initiatives and highest priorities.

Dean’s Strategic Initiatives Funds

Current-use funds for the dean’s highest priorities leverage opportunities to make an impact along a variety of dimensions. Your gifts are a measure of confidence in the school and commitment to extend Stanford GSB experience, intellectual capital, and engagement opportunities for students, faculty, alumni, and thought leaders around the globe.

Student Financial Aid

Fellowships enable Stanford GSB to continue to attract future leaders, regardless of their financial circumstances. Half of all MBA students receive some level of fellowship support, and all PhD students receive full financial support from the school. Gifts may be directed toward current-use Business School Fund fellowships; endowed, named fellowships; or loan-forgiveness funds.

Faculty Support

Investment in faculty is a top priority, particularly given the small size of our faculty and our need to retain staff in a competitive marketplace. Named, endowed faculty funds provide distinctive opportunities to support faculty who distinguish themselves as great teachers and researchers. Your gift may be designated to underwrite research and course development, or to establish named positions for faculty fellows, faculty scholars, professorships, or lectureships.

Stanford Seed

Stanford Seed, the Stanford Institute for Innovation in Developing Economies, is a Stanford-GSB-led initiative intent on ending the cycle of poverty in developing economies. We believe that some of the most pressing problems we face today, including poverty, can be addressed through leadership and innovation in the private sector. As catalysts in providing critical, flexible support for the core activities and programmatic priorities, our investors enjoy a personal level of engagement with the Seed leaders and coaches, as well as engagement with the students placed with client companies.

Capital Gifts

Naming opportunities for key spaces in the Jack McDonald Hall student residence and in the existing Knight Management Center enable dedicated alumni to leave a legacy for future generations of students.

Philanthropic gifts are essential in enable us to realize our vision of a fully integrated living and learning environment at Stanford GSB. With the generosity of donors, this concept was dramatically enhanced by the 2011 opening of the Knight Management Center. Built in proximity to the Schwab Residential Center, which was constructed in 1997, the Knight Management Center is integral to enhancing the school’s strong sense of community.

Jack McDonald Hall accommodates nearly all first-year MBA students who desire to live on campus as part of the fully immersive experience that is so important to the personal transformation of every MBA candidate.

Programmatic Funds

Programmatic funds are used for areas of significant student or faculty interest that have limited dedicated funding for current use. These funds provide flexible capital to support centers, initiatives, research and teaching (including course and case development), student programs and clubs, and collaborative efforts between Stanford GSB and other graduate schools at Stanford.

Planned Giving

Through careful planning, a donor may be able to make a sizable contribution to the school by creating a bequest or living trust; designating Stanford as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, IRA, or other retirement plan; or making a “life income gift,” which can provide a donor with considerable tax savings currently as well as an income for life.