Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HGSE Fund?
Why is the HGSE Fund important to the School?
Will my modest gift make a difference?
What are corporate matching gifts and how can I help the School benefit from them?
How will my gift be recognized?
What is the Charles William Eliot Society?
What is your fiscal year and how does it affect me?
Where do I send my gift?
I have a question about my gift. How can I contact you?

What is the HGSE Fund?

The HGSE Fund raises much-needed funds that support the School's current operating budget. All of the monies raised directly support programs during the fiscal year in which your gift is received.

The HGSE Fund supports many areas at the school including:

Financial aid
Gutman Library
Faculty research
Student support services
Technological updates

Each of the resources that create the graduate experience--from participating in field-based internships to upgrading the online library system to obtaining financial aid--is made possible by contributions from you, other alumni, and friends.

Your gift, at any level, helps our students, as future leaders, to transform a world of inequities into a world full of possibilities.

Why is the HGSE Fund important to the School?

The reality is that the cost of an HGSE education is not covered by tuition. Without the HGSE Fund and endowment income, tuition would be much higher. Tuition pays for only 61% of an HGSE education. The remaining costs are subsidized in large part by student loans and generous gifts from HGSE's alumni and friends.

Although Harvard's endowment is roughly $26 billion, HGSE's portion of the endowment is just 1.6%. The annual percent of draw on these resources subsidizes 23% of the School's operating budget. However, much like Harvard's total endowment, the majority of these resources are restricted by terms and conditions specified by donors.

Unrestricted gifts of any amount to the HGSE Fund make a difference in the life of the School, because they directly support HGSE's programs and the needs of students.

Will my modest gift make a difference?

Your support is capable of making a significant difference to HGSE.

Although it might seem like a gift of $100 or $25 wouldn't have much impact, every gift adds to the total pool of funds available to the Harvard Graduate School of Education. If every alumnus/a gave $50 to the HGSE Fund during the year, an additional $975,000 would be available to help support current students at the School.

What are corporate matching gifts and how can I help the School benefit from them?

If your company or your spouse's company has a matching gift program, your gift to HGSE may be doubled or even tripled. Your human resources office can supply you with specific instructions regarding its process for matching gifts. In some cases, a spouse's company will also match the gift.

If you have completed a matching gift form from your company, please send it to us at the following address:

HGSE Fund
44R Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138-3705

How will my gift be recognized?

The following giving societies at HGSE recognize those donors who have distinguished themselves in their support of the School. All donors to the School are listed in the School's Annual Report.

Charles William Eliot Society ($1,000 and up)
Sponsor ($500 to $999)
Fellow ($250 to $499)
Donor (up to $249)

Personal gifts combined with matching gifts count toward the HGSE Fund's Giving categories. Gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.

What is the Charles William Eliot Society?

The Charles William Eliot Society recognizes supporters who make lead gifts to the HGSE Fund. Each year, members are invited to special events, are listed in the Annual Report, and receive a new book authored by an HGSE scholar. Periodic updates keep members abreast of issues of importance at the School.

View more information about the Eliot Society and levels of giving.

What is your fiscal year and how does it affect me?

The HGSE fiscal year begins on July 1st and runs through June 30th. Your donation to the School must be received during that time period in order for your gift to count toward the current year's HGSE Fund drive.

Where do I send my gift?