Shape the Future goal met, scholarships the top priority

With $62 million in gifts and pledges to date, Peabody has just surpassed its $60 million Shape the Future campaign goal. Peabody alumni and friends stretched to achieve new levels of generosity, supporting scholarships, faculty chairs, research and important investments in facilities. With one goal reached, we’ve set a new one. Peabody’s Shape the Future goal is now $75 million—with a priority focus on scholarship support. Now, more than ever, gifts for scholarships and financial aid are essential to ensure that outstanding students have the opportunity to attend Peabody. 

 “Strong leadership will be vital and a team effort will be important to help Peabody achieve its ambitious new goal,” says Charles Kurz II, whose own relationship to Peabody continues even after the graduation of his son, Chad (BS’04, MEd’05). 

There are many ways to give. The Kurz family established an endowed scholarship that allows students who may not have the financial means to be able to receive a Vanderbilt education. A named endowed scholarship requires a minimum gift of $100,000 (pledges can be made up to five years). Scholarship gifts of less than $100,000 can be directed to Peabody’s pooled scholarship fund that combines gifts from a number of donors and puts that income to work generating interest. When a donor’s gifts in the pooled fund reach $100,000, a new named scholarship fund is established, recognizing the donor’s generosity in perpetuity.  

The Kurz family of suburban Philadelphia continues to support their named scholarship through annual and planned giving gifts. “My mother, a proud Vandy grandparent, has been very thoughtful in utilizing provisions for making charitable IRA rollover distributions to provide additional funding for the Kurz scholarship at Peabody,” Kurz says. “My mother also appreciates being recognized by Vanderbilt as a member of the Sarratt Society.” 

All gifts—large or small, endowed or annual—are significant and make an impact. Please find an opportunity to be a part of Peabody’s success in educating new generations. 

For more information about giving to Peabody and supporting scholarships, contact Kerry McCartney, associate dean for development and alumni relations, at kerry.mccartney@vanderbilt.edu or 615/322-8500. To make a gift to Peabody anytime online: http://giving.vanderbilt.edu/peabody.