Donor Recognition

Private philanthropy is vital to the university's future. Private donations to the university are accepted with confidentiality to the extent allowed by law. Our Donor Bill of Rights outlines MU’s assurance of respect and trust.

Donors who choose to remain anonymous can be assured that MU will honor their wishes. However, donors who would like to be recognized for major and planned gifts may select membership in the Jefferson Club, the Chancellor's Society or the Legacy Society. Recognition of one gift may well inspire generosity in others.

The Jefferson Club was created in honor of Thomas Jefferson, whose principles regarding higher education were used to establish the University of Missouri as the first state university located in the Louisiana Purchase territory.

The Chancellor's Society is a special category of membership within the Jefferson Club for donors who give to the Chancellor's Fund for Excellence.

The Legacy Society honors donors who have provided gifts to the university through a variety of estate-planning methods, such as bequests in wills or trusts, charitable-remainder trusts, pooled income funds or gifts of life insurance.

Many MU schools and colleges have established gift societies to recognize donors who have given to particular schools or colleges. Visit the school and college campaign Web sites to learn more about these divisional gift societies.