MIT launches largest fundraising campaign in its history

MIT is launching its largest campaign to date this month with a goal of raising $5 billion. The Institute’s first comprehensive campaign in more than a decade, the Campaign for a Better World is one of the largest fundraising efforts in the history of higher education.

Coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of MIT’s move across the Charles River from Boston to Cambridge, the campaign will raise funds in part to address the need for restoring and renovating some of the Institute’s century-old buildings. But the effort will go beyond brick-and-mortar goals, emphasizing instead MIT’s impact around the world and drive to solve global problems. Inspired by the Institute’s motto of mens et manus, or mind and hand, the campaign will focus on the topics of education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, the environment, and human health — all areas of ongoing work at MIT Sloan and across the Institute.

David Schmittlein, John C Head III dean of MIT Sloan said, “The world is at a pivotal place in history — one which requires the very best minds and the very smartest solutions. Those can be found here at MIT, and I am confident that our faculty and students will be the ones who solve the great challenges and bring important change to the world through markets and organizations.”

Kris Schaefer, senior associate dean for external relations and international programs at MIT Sloan, said the campaign’s emphasis on global impact is extraordinary. “I’ve worked at many universities and colleges over the years and I am struck by the things that make MIT and this campaign different. We are talking about every gift being a gift to the world, as well as supporting MIT Sloan — creating new jobs and businesses, inventing tools and strategies that will lead to global economic stability and sustainable development, reimagining an efficient, patient-centered health care system, and developing leaders who will change the world today and for the future.”

Strategic fundraising priorities for MIT Sloan as part of the campaign include an expansion of student action learning opportunities around the world, increased fellowship support for master’s students, and faculty research initiatives.

MIT will engage alumni and philanthropists around the world in the campaign with a full schedule of events and regular social media outreach and communication in the months ahead.

Follow #MITBetterWorld and MIT Sloan alumni on Facebook and Twitter for updates.