“Sheila’s gift inspired me to look for ways in which I could contribute time, talent and resources as a way of giving back to a community and profession that has given so much to me and my family." Jack Riley
As we celebrate this season of giving, I'm pleased to announce that Dr. Jack Riley recently made a commitment for a significant planned gift of $250,000 to the NDU Foundation in his estate plan. Jack's appreciation of the importance of NDU, our faculty, and students motivated his act of philanthropy, which will enhance our impact on peacekeeping, diplomacy, and future military and national security leaders. With this gift, Dr. Riley joins Dr. Sheila Ronis as founding donors of the1976 Society, and together, each of these commitments demonstrates the power that leadership donors have to inspire others to give.
The National Defense University Foundation 1976 Society recognizes those individuals who have made a planned gift to benefit the National Defense University (NDU). The Foundation established the 1976 Society following Chairman Emeritus Sheila Ronis' unsolicited commitment of $100,000.Contributions to the 1976 Society recognize the significance of making a long-term commitment to national security leader development through the generosity of planned gifts. These forward-looking planned gifts empower NDUF to ensure NDU will continue to address some of the world’s most pressing national security and defense issues by supporting cutting-edge research and the education of tomorrow’s national security leaders.
Global peace and national security resource requirements exist outside the constraints of an annual budgetary process, which necessitates thoughtful, deliberate efforts like a planned gift to meet the unrealized future needs of the University and our students. When Jack and I spoke earlier this week, he said, “I hope this gift enables dynamic new approaches to teaching, research, and global collaborations across the university and defense-industrial complex. I hope it inspires others, as I have been inspired throughout my career.”
A 1976 Society bequest may be unrestricted, providing the Foundation and University leaders with the flexibility to support the most pressing needs. Alternatively, gift commitments can be designed to support particular research, directed to a Center of Excellence to extend the reach of research, innovation, and analysis; or allocated to support an endowed chair, fellowship, scholarship, or academic award. If these founding gifts to the 1976 Society have inspired you as well, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Michelle Buhr to learn more about how to make a planned gift to the Foundation. Gifts made through our 40th Anniversary year – 2022 – will be designated as “Founding Gifts.”
I wish you all a “Happy Holidays” on behalf of the National Defense University Foundation team and the NDU community we support. We look forward to growing that support with you in 2022 and in the years ahead.
James