Message from the Executive Director

Four band members dressed in Michigan uniforms hold hats with blue and yellow plumes and block M logos.

Greetings, and welcome to U-M!

I am thrilled that your student has chosen the University of Michigan.

This is an exceptional institution, with an extraordinary mission of service to the public and a proud history of academic excellence, innovation, and civic engagement. I know your student will thrive in this environment.

We are especially fortunate to have a robust community of support, in particular, the parents of our students. The great work being done on our campus would not be possible without the dedication of these individuals who share their invaluable perspectives and insights to advance our university’s tradition of philanthropy and its incredible, far-reaching impact.

I am delighted to invite you to be part of our mission. By joining the Parent & Family Leadership Council, you can help shape the future of this university, and the countless lives it will impact. This council’s commitment to creating a preeminent education along with unforgettable experiences, not only for their own students, but for the entire university community, is an inspiring reminder of the enduring strength of our Michigan family.

Thank you for entrusting your student with us. They are about to embark on a truly amazing journey of learning and discovery at a world-class university, joining the leaders and best. I hope you will consider this invitation and come with us on this journey. Thank you, and Go Blue!!

Matt Burrows
Executive Director, Parent & Family Giving and Student Life

Matt Burrows in a gray suit and yellow striped tie stands outdoors in front of a brick building.

Four people sitting on the steps outside the William W. Cook Legal Research Building’s ornate entrance.

An amazing adventure begins

Congratulations on your student's enrollment at the University of Michigan. This is the beginning of an amazing adventure among the best and brightest at this top global university. During your student's time here, they will collaborate with remarkable faculty and other scholars from around the world to discover their true voice, develop insight and ideas, and blaze new trails into the future. They will encounter new perspectives and learn from transformative experiences beyond classroom walls.

They will become the leaders of tomorrow.

Golden autumn leaves hang in front of the columns of Angell Hall.

The Cube, a bold black sculpture, is tilted on one corner and framed by blooming yellow flowers.

Two people working together in a laboratory, wearing lab coats and gloves.

At the University of Michigan, the “leaders and best” are more than the lyrics to a fight song. They signal our highest aspirations.

A group observes the recovery of a large muddy mammoth tusk by heavy machinery.

Several students stand and sit around a blue off-road vehicle on the grass in front of a brick building, dressed in Michigan-themed clothing.

A student sits outdoors with a Michigan laptop, surrounded by fall foliage.

Tradition runs deep

U-M is a top-rated public institution with the responsibility to use its expertise across disciplines, academic strength, and powerful resources to enhance our world. Our deeply rooted philanthropic tradition helps us to meet that responsibility while enabling us to provide access and opportunities to our students.

The Parent & Family Giving program gives Michigan parents a chance to show pride in their students and enhance the student experience by supporting an array of U-M programs. Parent donors can strengthen their family’s legacy at Michigan by helping to support and prepare the next generation of the leaders and best.

We are so delighted to be part of the Parent Council at the University of Michigan. It's given us a sense of community and belonging right off the bat, as soon as our son came here. We also love being involved and learning about the projects going on at the university—things we probably would never have known about if we were not on this council.

— Richard Diamond & Francesca Portolano, parents of Matthew ’27
New York, NY

The “Sunday Morning in Deep Waters” statue sprays water in front of a campus building.

A line of trumpet players dressed in navy and maize uniforms topped with tall blue and yellow plumes, all playing in synchronized formation.

A group poses with a maize block “M” flag in front of terraced stone ruins and lush, misty mountains, while a llama stands nearby.

Join our philanthropic tradition

U-M’s Parent & Family Leadership Council is composed of leading parent donors. Participating on the council is a great way to meet other Michigan parents across the country who share the goal of enriching the student experience through philanthropy. This select group of parents serves as U-M ambassadors, helping to identify and engage fellow Michigan parents. Leadership Council volunteers provide valuable insight into the business culture and economy of their local community. They are invited to special events for updates on important university activities, helping them to serve their communities with information about exciting new developments at U-M.

Enu Mainigi and John Walke, standing with their daughter Sonia and another woman, pose together in front of glass doors and a stone wall at a warmly decorated gathering.

We love the Parent Council because it's just one of the many ways that Michigan has available to take a big school and make it smaller, and make it form a different community within the school than perhaps the community our kids are in. It's been great for us. The council has been a warm and welcoming introduction to Michigan, especially for a family without any prior knowledge of the school or the state.

— Enu Mainigi and John Walke, parents of Sonia ’26
Washington, D.C.

Stone crest and Latin inscription lit by evening sunlight.

The University of Michigan flag waves atop the Union, rising above vivid red and green autumn leaves beneath a clear blue sky.

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Giving opportunities

Parent & Family Leadership Council members have the opportunity to direct their gifts and support the university program or initiative they are most passionate about, including:

Scholarships, internships, or study abroad in their student’s school or college;
Hadley Family Recreation & Well-Being Center or the Central Campus Residential Development;
Research in Michigan Medicine working to cure diabetes, cancer, and other diseases;
Artificial intelligence, tech incubators, and entrepreneurial innovation;
Acquisition of new works for collections at the University of Michigan Museum of Art;
Student support services like the Maize & Blue Cupboard, the University Career Center, Services for Students with Disabilities, University Health & Counseling, and the Student Emergency Funds - Dean of Students;
Performances presented by students from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

Whatever your interest, we look forward to helping you achieve your philanthropic goals here at the University of Michigan.

A crowd dressed in yellow and blue waves bright yellow pom-poms, energetically supporting their team at Michigan Stadium, with scoreboard and stands full of fans in the background.

Burton Memorial Tower and its large clock face stand tall against a blue, partly cloudy sky, with red tulips in the foreground and budding spring trees at the base.

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Volunteer job description

Attend two council meetings annually when available;
Act as an ambassador for the university and stay informed about its activities and priorities;
Recommend and assist in recruiting other volunteers;
Host the president, deans, and other university leaders when requested;
Be a resource for development officers to open doors to prospective donors and organizations;
Assist the development staff with identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individuals for gifts. Make a case to others for supporting the university;
Help identify issues that are especially important to parents of U-M students;
Contribute to the parents/families fundraising success by making a major gift commitment.