The main vehicle for parent support at Northwestern, the fund is led by a volunteer committee who solicit fellow parents by mail, phone, and in person each year between September 1 and August 31. As the school year begins each September, a coordinated effort is made by staff, students, and volunteers to contact each member of the Northwestern parent community. The University's fiscal year begins September 1, in keeping with the academic year. The cost of an education at Northwestern is far greater than the costs covered by tuition. Income from the University's endowment covers an additional five percent, but the remainder must come from gifts and grants.
Parents generally use cash, credit cards or securities to make their annual gifts.
You may also use our on-line pledge form . If you need information on transferring securities, or if you would like to use some other vehicle to make your gift, please call the Office of Annual Giving. Parent volunteers help in contacting other parents and spreading the word about parent giving at Northwestern. If you would like to be a Parents Fund volunteer, simply contact the Office of Annual Giving. For answers to more Parents Fund questions, click here .