a compact with the founder

The name "The Jefferson Trust" has been carefully selected to introduce this initiative to prospective subscribers. Our alumni are the only true, unbiased heirs of Jefferson’s vision for the University. As such, the trust is a compact between the founder and the University’s alumni and special friends. Motivated solely by an objective view as to what is in the University’s best interest, our alumni and closest friends are free of influence from the Commonwealth’s ever changing political agendas—hence they are uniquely qualified to advance Jefferson’s legacy with such an endowment on an ongoing basis. Each year, the Trustees will meet to determine how they can best maintain the Jeffersonian vision through that year’s grants. The annual event will highlight subscribers and the new year’s beneficiaries of the Trust. The interactive nature of the process and ongoing decision-making role of subscribers will stimulate successful fund raising. The Trust will be an affirmation of the subscribers’ commitment to Jefferson’s aspiration for the University. It will grow into a meaningful reservoir for the University as it pursues a new model of privately supported public higher education in America today. In so doing, The Jefferson Trust will ensure that a strong independent alumni voice shall always resonate in the most positive ways at the University of Virginia.

The board of Managers of the Alumni Association invites you to join in the perpetual pursuit of Mr. Jefferson’s dream by subscribing to The Jefferson Trust.