MIT grad gift

Dear graduate student,

As we approach the end of the academic year, I wish to remind all our graduate students about the Grad Gift campaign. This is a new initiative of the MIT Alumni Association, Graduate Student Council, and my office. The goal of this campaign is twofold: to raise money for causes that support MIT graduate students and to increase graduate student participation in current and future philanthropy.

The campaign is a uniquely MIT idea. Graduate students are leading this effort and, to a large extent, volunteers are organizing campaign events. To date, we're not aware of any other school that hopes to engage all current graduate students in philanthropy, rather than focus on the graduating cohort. The organizing committee, co-chaired by Alexander Hamilton Chan and Kathy Miu, has designated the Graduate Dental Fund as the recipient of any gifts to the campaign that aren't specifically designated for other purposes. This fund will help make dental care affordable for graduate students who have major dental problems and who could not otherwise afford adequate care.

Dr. Ani Chitaley (ScD '68), a graduate alumnus, has generously made a challenge pledge of $20,000 to the Grad Gift. His gift is based on the percentage of MIT graduate students who participate in the campaign. He will give $5,000 to the Graduate Dental Fund for each 5 percent of students who participate (up to a total of $20,000). This challenge makes your participation in the campaign even more important.

Even in these difficult economic times, I hope you will consider making a gift so that we can meet the goals of the challenge and provide as much financial support as possible for the Graduate Dental Fund. Whether you choose to give just $5 or more, each gift brings us closer to meeting the goal of 20 percent participation (up from today's 7 percent).

The challenge deadline is June 30. Please visit the campaign website to make a gift and thank you for your consideration!

Yours truly,

Steven Lerman
Vice Chancellor and Dean for Graduate Education