Mount Founders Circle

Join The Mount Founders Circle

Shape the Future. Celebrate the Mission. Lead with Purpose.

The Mount Founders Circle is our renewed leadership giving society, an opportunity for you to make a powerful impact across Mount St. Mary’s University. As a member, your annual support helps elevate every aspect of the Mount experience—from scholarships and campus life to faith, service, and athletics.

This exclusive circle of donors plays a vital role in advancing the Mount’s mission and sustaining its legacy. By joining with a gift of $2,000 or more, you can choose to support the areas that matter most to you—whether it's fueling student success through the Mount Annual Fund, empowering student-athletes, opening doors through scholarships, forming future Church leaders, or preserving sacred spaces like the Grotto.

As a member, you become part of a visionary group of alumni, parents, and friends committed to shaping the next generation of ethical leaders.

Join Today

Want to Learn More?

If you're interested in joining the Mount Founders Circle or would like to learn more about how your leadership gift can make a lasting impact, we’d love to connect with you.

Please reach out to:

Michelle Pickett-Valentine
Director of Annual Giving
Mount St. Mary’s University

301-447-5144
m.l.pickett-valentine@msmary.edu

We’re here to answer your questions, share more about the mission you’ll be supporting, and help you find the pillar of impact that resonates most with you.

How Your Support Comes to Life

Community (Mount Annual Fund): Your support fuels the core student experience, from classroom innovation to campus life, ensuring every Mountie has what they need to succeed.
Leadership (Athletics Unrestricted Fund): Your gift helps student-athletes excel on and off the field—instilling discipline, teamwork, and pride in representing the Mount.
Legacy (Annual Unrestricted Scholarship Fund): You open doors for deserving students who may not otherwise afford a Mount education, creating ripple effects for families and communities.
Faith (Seminary Annual Fund): Your generosity supports the spiritual formation of future Church leaders, sustaining a rich legacy of faith and service.
Service (National Shrine Grotto Annual Fund): You help preserve and enhance the Grotto as a sacred space for prayer, peace, and pilgrimage—for students and visitors alike.

Membership Benefits: Lead with Purpose, Connect with Impact

When you join the Mount Founders Circle, you become part of a select group of leadership donors whose annual support is shaping the future of Mount St. Mary’s University. Joining is about the difference you make and the access you gain to the heart of the Mount.

As a member, you will:

Amplify Your Impact by directing your gift to one of five mission-driven pillars—supporting students, programs, and sacred spaces that define the Mount experience.
Engage with Mount Leadership through exclusive events and annual gatherings that connect you directly with University leaders and fellow philanthropic partners.
Be a Founding Force in the revitalized leadership giving society—charter members in FY26 will receive a commemorative medallion as a symbol of this milestone moment.
Be Recognized for Your Leadership with a welcome packet that includes a thank-you letter, a custom print of the Mount, and a Mount Founders Circle sticker as a token of appreciation.

Your leadership giving not only elevates the Mount—it inspires a culture of generosity that echoes through every classroom, chapel, field, and trail on our beloved campus.

FAQs

How do I become a Mount Founders Circle member?

Mount Founders Circle membership is extended to those who give $2,000 or more annually to unrestricted funds in one of the five pillars. The initial inaugural year is from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Visit our Online Gift Form to make your gift today.

Why Should I Become a Member of the Mount Founders Circle?

Becoming a member of The Mount Founders Circle is your opportunity to lead with purpose, deepen your connection to Mount St. Mary’s, and directly shape the lives of students today and for generations to come.

Your membership:

Creates Immediate Impact – Your leadership gift provides vital, flexible funding that supports scholarships, student life, faith formation, athletics, and campus-wide excellence.
Strengthens the Mission – You help sustain the Mount’s Catholic identity, academic strength, and service-centered culture—ensuring our values continue to thrive.
Connects You to the Mount Community – As a member, you’ll engage with University leadership, attend exclusive events, and become part of a dedicated circle of mission-driven supporters.
Sets a Powerful Example – Your commitment inspires others to give, building a culture of leadership, generosity, and lifelong connection to the Mount.

This isn’t just about giving. It’s about being part of something bigger—something lasting. It’s about making your values visible through a gift that transforms lives.

How can I make my gift?

Visit our Online Gift Form to make your gift with a credit card. You can mail a check (pay to the order of Mount St. Mary's University) to Mount St. Mary's University, Office of Advancement, 16300 Old Emmitsburg Road, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. You can also make a gift through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA.

Is my gift tax deductible?

Yes, your gift is tax deductible as allowed by law.

Mount St. Mary's University is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If you have questions regarding the tax implications of your donation, please consult a qualified tax professional.

Will my spouse be a member?

Yes, your spouse will be a member.

Will my employer's matching gift count toward membership?

Yes, your employer's matching gift counts toward your Mount Founders Circle membership. Please visit the Matching Gifts Policy to see if your employer will match your charitable contribution.

Where will my gift go?

As a member of The Mount Founders Circle, you choose where your gift makes the greatest impact by selecting one of five mission-driven pillars that align with your values and passions. Each pillar supports a critical area of Mount St. Mary’s University:

Community – Supports the Mount Annual Fund, fueling academics, student life, and mission-centered initiatives across campus.
Leadership – Supports the Mount Athletic Fund and enhances Mount Athletics, helping student-athletes grow in character, discipline, and team spirit.
Legacy – Funds scholarships, opening doors for students who might not otherwise afford a Mount education.
Faith – Sustains the Seminary Annual Fund, forming future priests and strengthening our Catholic identity.
Service – Maintains the Grotto, preserving this sacred space for prayer, peace, and pilgrimage.

No matter which pillar you choose, your gift goes directly to work—supporting students, advancing the Mount’s mission, and shaping lives through your generosity.

How long will I have my membership?

Mount Founders Circle memberships are renewed annually based on our fiscal year which runs from July 1 to June 30.

Can I make a gift in honor or memory of someone?

Yes, our giving form allows you to make a gift in honor or memory of someone. Visit our Online Gift Form and beside "Your Gift Will Benefit," select "Other Area of Choice" and complete the "Other Designation" field.

Can I talk to someone about becoming a Mount Founders Circle member?

If you're interested in joining The Mount Founders Circle or would like to learn more about how your leadership gift can make a lasting impact, we’d love to connect with you.