An anonymous alumnus will match qualifying gifts and pledges from alumni, up to $20 million, to support the basketball operations center and practice facility.
Our philanthropic partners drive access and innovation by supporting scholarships, faculty, residential colleges, athletics, pathbreaking research, and so much more. Our community also gives back through gifts of time and expertise-serving as volunteers, mentors and beyond, to ensure all Commodores have the tools they need to flourish.
Inspired by our university motto, Dare to Grow, we are excited to expand our team, enhance our impact and set even bolder ambitions for the future.
Join Our Team
There are many ways you can build a career with impact at Vanderbilt. Development and Alumni Relations continues to add new roles as we Dare to Grow, together.
Impact Spotlights
Bold Gift Fuels Future of Vanderbilt Basketball
Ingram Scholars Program Celebrates 30 Years
The transformative Ingram Scholarship provides recipients with full tuition, all required fees and the value of on-campus housing each year.聽
Levy Gift Supports Undergraduate Internships
A $5 million gift from the Levys will provide internship stipends for deserving undergraduate students and seek additional giving through a challenge match.
Staff Spotlight
Name and Title:
Tyra Reid,
Associate Director of Development, Texas Region
Hometown:
Dover, Delaware (or what Delawareans like to call 鈥淪lower Lower鈥�)
Why Vanderbilt?
I came to Vanderbilt because I wanted to work for an organization that felt like something so much bigger than myself and a job. I was (and still am) incredibly fascinated by our Chancellor and how invested he is in big ideas and real-world issues. From the very start, I could tell DAR was a place full of smart, passionate people committed to doing meaningful work.
Tell us about your Vanderbilt/DAR journey?
I started my role in June 2023, and the time has flown by! Having no affiliation to Vanderbilt prior to this role, I think, speaks volumes of how genuinely intrigued I was with our goals and mission. I鈥檝e learned so much so far, have worked with some amazing people and teams and have been part of projects that make a difference. I鈥檓 very grateful for how DAR has allowed me to grow, stretch and think bigger.
What do you love most about your job?
The PEOPLE! I鈥檓 blessed to be among incredibly talented individuals who are so eager to collaborate and help when and where they can. Special shout out to the Regional Philanthropy Team 鈥� I think I鈥檓 on the best team yet! I also feel fortunate that I get to meet so many impressive people from all kinds of backgrounds.
What do you like about Vanderbilt鈥檚 campus or working at Vanderbilt?
Generally, it helps that campus is a gorgeous arboretum鈥攊t gives me a reprieve from the dying plant life in Houston! (only half-joking).
What do you like to do in Nashville?
During the times that I do get back to campus, I鈥檝e been trying to be intentional about discovering new hidden gems鈥攅specially restaurants I haven鈥檛 tried yet beyond West End Ave鈥擨 appreciate that Nashville has a ton of them! However, when I鈥檓 not in the mood to be too adventurous, I always fall back on my tried-and-true: Sixty Vines on 5th and Broadway.
Name and Title:
Geoffrey 鈥淕eoff鈥� Little, Assistant Director, Research and Prospect Development (RPD)
Hometown:
Virginia Beach, VA
Why Vanderbilt?
Even in my 21st year at Vanderbilt, it's still a pleasantly mysterious environment for me. Most anything can happen鈥攕o much already has. Each employee is invested in our own professional journey, but we also serve a vast and noble mission. I sincerely appreciate the atmosphere of excellence.
Tell us about your Vanderbilt/DAR journey?
I've been around for a while. I was introduced to Vanderbilt many years back in August 1993. I arrived in Nashville to begin at Belmont University. That October, I walked onto Vanderbilt鈥檚 campus for the first time. Seeds were planted. In 2004, I was hired into DAR in the Research & Prospect Development聽department, where I continue today.
What do you love most about your job?
RPD has been a great fit for my personality and skill set. I聽pick up information and ideas from all over and like to assimilate them to draw conclusions and make intelligence for myself and others. So, I get to do this for a job, steadily reviewing details of our current, past and new donor relationships. 聽I also appreciate the constantly-evolving nature of DAR and our ability to improve the way we live out our values鈥攚ho we are and what we do as the Commodore community.
What do you like about Vanderbilt鈥檚 campus or working at Vanderbilt?
Nerd alert. Since getting access years ago, I still sneak down to the cavernous low floors at our Central Library to read, write or just "be" at a hidden desk or chair.
What do you like to do in Nashville?
I have a deep connection with walking, jogging and generally exploring our Greenway system and our city parks (the Warner Parks are a favorite). Life is challenging, but there's not much that a deep dip in nature鈥攅specially in the springtime鈥攃an鈥檛 聽put into a hopeful perspective.