The Northwestern Annual Fund helps transform ambition into action, ensuring that the University continues to maintain the highest level of excellence envisioned by its founders.

Chris and Courtney Combe. Chris (WCAS70) is the National Chair of the Annual Fund and a University Trustee.

Annual Fund gifts are used at the discretion of the University president, deans, and faculty leaders and enable Northwestern to respond to opportunities as they arise with ease and flexibility. Gifts to the Annual Fund provide funding for need-based scholarships, faculty recruitment, academic innovations, and unparalleled learning experiences – including smaller class sizes, facility improvements, abundant research opportunities, and intensive field studies. The Annual Fund also provides support for more than 200 social, cultural, and athletic activities. Annual support from Northwestern alumni, parents and friends is vital to the continued health and prosperity of the University.

Each year, more than 38,000 individual donors contribute to the Northwestern Annual Fund with gifts ranging in size from $1 to $100,000. Every contribution is significant. A gift to the Annual Fund is an assertion that a Northwestern education has value to you, to current students, and to the community at large.

You can contribute to the Northwestern Annual Fund while also supporting your area of greatest interest. Simply direct your gift to your school annual fund, University Library, Block Museum, Student Life, or Wildcat Athletics. You may also direct your gift to University Unrestricted or Undergraduate Scholarships.

Give online, give by mail, or contact the Office of Annual Giving at annual-giving@northwestern.edu, or (800) 222-5603 to find out more about how you can support the Northwestern Annual Fund.