Leadership Giving

The need for Environmental Leadership has never been greater. Finding the path forward can be complex and requires leaders who are willing to take risks and apply their skills and knowledge to lead us to solutions that address the world’s most pressing environmental issues. Our leadership donors consist of a community of alumni, parents and friends who support the school’s mission in a shared vision to surpass the challenges that stand before us today and in the future. While gifts of every size advance our efforts, our leadership gift societies recognize those who go the extra mile to make an investment in tomorrow’s leaders.

Become a Member

The Nicholas School leadership gift societies recognize alumni, parents and friends who make annual cumulative gifts during the university’s fiscal year, which runs July 1 through June 30. By investing in the Nicholas School at a leadership level, you will make a significant impact on the school’s capacity to produce and support environmental leaders of consequence.

Nicholas School Champions ($100,000 or more to any designation within the Nicholas School)

Annual Fund Leadership Giving (Includes cumulative fiscal year giving to Nicholas School, Forestry, Geology and Marine Lab Annual Funds)

Blue Sky Vanguard ($25,000-$99,999 to Annual Fund)
Blue Sky ($10,000-$24,999 to Annual Fund)
Summit Society ($1,000-9,999 to Annual Fund)

Make a Gift

Your Impact

Your investment to the Nicholas School at a leadership level provides flexible funds that go to work right away to help our students receive the best educational experience possible. For example, your support enables the school to:

Attract and offer financial aid to students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend the Nicholas School
Provide a wide range of experiential and hands-on learning opportunities for our students to apply their knowledge and expertise to real-world challenges
Reduce graduates’ debt load so they can follow their passions into high-impact careers
Fund student and faculty research that informs policy and practice, locally and globally
Maintain the highest standards of excellence across programs by attracting and retaining faculty who are leaders in their field of work

Sparking Philanthropy in Others

When it comes to building the Nicholas School community, Romi Gottfrid M.E.M’97 stands out as a key advocate, a dedicated volunteer, and a consistently generous leadership donor. In the same spirit with which she has shared her time and expertise with the Nicholas community, she has also shared her financial resources to enhance the student experience and increase the school’s impact in the world.

I give back to Nicholas because I am grateful and hopeful. I am grateful for the experience I received – the Nicholas School enriched both my mind and heart through a community of inspiring professors and students with a common goal, striving to protect and enhance the health of our planet. I am hopeful because I believe that the Nicholas School will continue to equip and enable students to change the world, make significant contributions and make lasting impacts for us and future generations.”

–Romi Gottfrid, MEM’97

Questions?

To discuss giving options and to find the best fit for you, please contact a gift officer in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations:

Ann Thurston
Senior Director of Development & Major Gifts
(919) 613-8018
ann.thurston@duke.edu

Christy Thompson
Director, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
(919) 613-8004
christy.thompson@duke.edu