Meet the Donors

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation benefits tremendously from the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers who are committed to the mission of the Foundation.  This dedication is demonstrated in many ways, including the private support we continue to receive.  Private philanthropy has always been the backbone of funding efforts for Jefferson Scholarships and Jefferson Graduate Fellowships.  Gifts from thousands of individuals, along with dozens of corporations and foundations, have helped the Foundation fulfill its mission.  The support of alumni and friends always has been, and always will be, necessary for our continued success.

Supporters have cited innumerable reasons for their decision to get involved.  Many see Jefferson Scholars as a way to support the University of Virginia not only by attracting outstanding leaders, scholars, and citizens to Charlottesville, but also by raising the University’s profile in their own hometowns through the regional selection process.  Others note the Foundation’s core focus on excellence; still others refer to its reputation for outstanding stewardship and fiscal responsibility.  The potential to leave a legacy via an endowed gift is also identified as an important factor.  When asked, most benefactors get back to a central theme: their mental and emotional associations with the University of Virginia center on people, and the Jefferson Scholars Foundation is about people.  Please take a moment to find out more about some of the individuals who have embraced the our mission, and why they have chosen to support the Foundation in such a meaningful capacity.