Giving to the Ford School

Inspiring the next generation of leaders
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A bold vision. A lasting impact.

The Ford School is a top-ranked policy school at the world-class University of Michigan. Our mission is to inspire and prepare our graduates to take on our communities’ and the world’s most pressing challenges.

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Giving Blueday

On March 15, be part of something bigger

From midnight through 11:59 p.m. EST, Fordies around the globe have a unique opportunity to come together and support what each of us loves about the Ford School and the University of Michigan. Your gift, no matter the size, will make a difference.
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The field of public policy involves difficult work that includes strong scientific inquiry and analysis, as well as leadership skills to navigate politics, advocacy and coalition building, communication across differences, and the ability to envision and make change. We have long been known and respected as the leading public policy school for rigorous, objective data and policy analysis, and effective communication.

Gifts provide scholarships that bring talented and diverse students to campus, support internship and applied learning experiences that shape career trajectories, and develop critical leadership skills to have a positive impact on individuals, organizations, and communities. They also underwrite game-changing faculty research that transform how we address society's most intractable challenges and arm policy communities around the world with first-rate academic insights and discoveries.

Read more about where you can give. 

Kaltura Video
Lynn Vendinello (MPP '89): Students can follow in your footsteps.
Impact

Research & action

Members of the Ford School community make data-driven discoveries to catalyze public policy change.
Read more about "Research & action"
Impact

Our alumni

Ford School graduates go on to create a positive impact on people and communities across the globe.
Read more about "Our alumni"

Meet the problem-solvers, leaders, and advocates who benefit from your gifts.

2021 Eckstein prize

“The history of UI, the politics of expansion and modernization, and even the sociology of poverty and work all affected how people experienced applying for benefits. I even had to talk to computer scientists to learn about how state systems were designed.” Kalena Thomhave (MPP '21)
Read more about "2021 Eckstein prize"

Margaret E. Weston Endowment for Education Policy Intern

"I am gaining the analytical tools and policy foundations necessary for work in higher education policy research, analysis, and advocacy." Dana Fenster (MPP/MA '20)
Read more about "Margaret E. Weston Endowment for Education Policy Intern"

Riecker Michigan Delegation Fellowship

"I cannot express enough how much this experience has changed me, the value it has added to my list of experiences, and the meaningful connections it has allowed me to build. Every part of this experience challenged me to utilize and hone my skills I learned from the Ford School, and I gained significant insight on the Congressional process." Iqra Nasir (MPP/MS '21)
Read more about "Riecker Michigan Delegation Fellowship"

Meet our donors

Vandenberg Lecture Series

"Hank has written a beautiful biography of Vandenberg, focused on the role of bipartisan compromise essential to the creation of the post-war international order."

Dean Michael S. Barr on Hank Meijer's book about U.S. Senator Arthur Vandenberg. The Meijer Family established the Vandenberg Lecture Series, which focuses on global issues and serves as an intellectual tribute. Their generous gifts also contributed to the Gerald R. Ford Fellowship and the Ford School Leadership Initiative.
Read more about ""Hank has written a beautiful biography of Vandenberg, focused on the role of bipartisan compromise essential to the creation of the post-war international order.""

Giving Success

The Ford School community is strong. We are deeply grateful to everyone who invests in our mission and in our students. As part of the University of Michigan’s Victors for Michigan campaign (which closed with great success in 2018), the Ford School raised more than $47 million from more than 1,700 donors, and saw significant growth in key areas. In fiscal year 2020, more than 500 gifts were made solely by Ford School alumni, many of whom elected to give twice or more to support Ford School students in tumultuous times.

 

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