Why Give?
Founders' Pledge
Commit to supporting NYU Stern based on the success of a venture.
Founders' Pledge
Stern is proud to be a School at the forefront of entrepreneurship. Many of our students and alumni have become leaders in fields like biotech, fintech, and life sciences, and we know many more are on their way to making their impact.
The NYU Stern Founders' Pledge offers a flexible, non-binding opportunity for entrepreneurs to give back to their alma mater while also building their ventures. By taking the Pledge, alumni proudly state that they plan to make a gift to Stern at the time of a successful liquidity event, such as a public offering or buyout.
To learn more about the Founders' Pledge or to take the Pledge yourself, we invite you to complete this short form.
The NYU Stern Founders' Pledge offers a flexible, non-binding opportunity for entrepreneurs to give back to their alma mater while also building their ventures. By taking the Pledge, alumni proudly state that they plan to make a gift to Stern at the time of a successful liquidity event, such as a public offering or buyout.
To learn more about the Founders' Pledge or to take the Pledge yourself, we invite you to complete this short form.
Stern Founder's Pledge Participants
David Ko (BS '93)
David Ko is the co-founder and CEO of Ripple Health Group, an early stage health tech startup. Prior to RHG, David held various senior executive positions at Rally Health; Zynga, which he helped take public in 2011; and Yahoo! David serves on a variety of boards at his alma mater, NYU Stern, including the Stern Executive Board and Tech MBA Advisory Board. He established the NYU Stern Venture Fellows program for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Elizabeth Elting (MBA '92)
Elizabeth Elting, founder and CEO of the Elizabeth Elting Foundation, is an entrepreneur, business leader, linguaphile, philanthropist, feminist, and mother. She started TransPerfect out of an NYU dorm room and, as co-CEO, grew the business into the world’s largest language solutions company. Elizabeth has been recognized as a NOW “Woman of Power & Influence,” American Express’ and Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Woman of the Year,” and one of Forbes’ “Richest Self-Made Women.”
FAQs
What are the benefits of making the Founders’ Pledge?
What can my Founders’ Pledge support?
Can I pledge to give stocks or securities in the event of a public offering?
Is there a pledge minimum?
Can the Founders' Pledge count as my Haskins Giving Society membership?
Am I responsible for alerting Stern about my exit?
I have co-founders who are not Stern alumni. Do they need to take the pledge as well?
My title is not Founder or co-Founder. Can I still participate in the Founders' Pledge?
Can I make the Pledge anonymously?
Is the Founders' Pledge legally binding?
How can I find out more?
What are the benefits of making the Founders’ Pledge?
Those who make our Founders’ Pledge will be joining an elite group of some of our most innovative and philanthropic alumni. This community will receive exclusive School updates and invitations to entrepreneur-focused events. You will also be listed (along with your company name) as an alumni who has made the Founders' Pledge (unless you choose to opt out of this benefit).
What can my Founders’ Pledge support?
Scholarship support is a popular option for alumni who want to give back to the next generation of entrepreneurs and students. Ultimately, you can support the Stern programs of your choosing or the Stern Fund, allowing the Dean the ultimate flexibility to invest in areas of need. We recommend choosing the area(s) you wish to support when you are ready to fulfill your pledge.
Can I pledge to give stocks or securities in the event of a public offering?
NYU Stern can accept stocks or securities in lieu of cash gifts. This may be a good fit for alumni whose compensation packages include stock options. To learn more about gifts of securities, please click here.
Is there a pledge minimum?
There is not a pledge minimum. At the time of your successful exit, a member of the NYU Stern Development and Alumni Relations team will work with you to determine a gift amount that is right for you.
Can the Founders' Pledge count as my Haskins Giving Society membership?
Making the pledge itself does not qualify you as a member of our Haskins Giving Society, and we encourage you to continue your annual support of Stern with contributions at a level that is right for you. Haskins Giving Society members must give at a level that meets the threshold for Haskins membership within a twelve month period in order to maintain their status.
Am I responsible for alerting Stern about my exit?
We ask that you reach out to NYU Stern about your exit to begin a discussion about completing your pledge.
I have co-founders who are not Stern alumni. Do they need to take the pledge as well?
They do not. By making the Founders' Pledge, you are pledging to personally make a significant gift to Stern in the event of a successful exit. You are not agreeing to a gift on behalf of your company.
My title is not Founder or co-Founder. Can I still participate in the Founders' Pledge?
Absolutely! Many of our alumni apply their talents to start-up ventures in a variety of leadership roles like COO or CFO. Alumni with other C-Suite roles or equivalents are also encouraged to take the Founders' Pledge.
Can I make the Pledge anonymously?
You can choose to pledge or give anonymously, and please rest assured that NYU Stern will not use your image or name without your consent. When completing the form, simply leave unchecked the button reading “I give NYU Stern permission to list me publicly as an alumni who has taken the Founders' Pledge.” If you change your mind in the future, simply notify us.
Is the Founders' Pledge legally binding?
No. By taking the Founders' Pledge, you are pledging to personally make a significant gift to Stern in the event of a successful exit. Should your circumstances change in any way, you are not legally bound to complete the pledge.
How can I find out more?
Complete this form or reach out to Kaylan Pedine, senior associate director, Major Gifts, at kpedine@stern.nyu.edu or 212.998.0681.
What can my Founders’ Pledge support?
Can I pledge to give stocks or securities in the event of a public offering?
Is there a pledge minimum?
Can the Founders' Pledge count as my Haskins Giving Society membership?
Am I responsible for alerting Stern about my exit?
I have co-founders who are not Stern alumni. Do they need to take the pledge as well?
My title is not Founder or co-Founder. Can I still participate in the Founders' Pledge?
Can I make the Pledge anonymously?
Is the Founders' Pledge legally binding?
How can I find out more?
What are the benefits of making the Founders’ Pledge?
Those who make our Founders’ Pledge will be joining an elite group of some of our most innovative and philanthropic alumni. This community will receive exclusive School updates and invitations to entrepreneur-focused events. You will also be listed (along with your company name) as an alumni who has made the Founders' Pledge (unless you choose to opt out of this benefit).
What can my Founders’ Pledge support?
Scholarship support is a popular option for alumni who want to give back to the next generation of entrepreneurs and students. Ultimately, you can support the Stern programs of your choosing or the Stern Fund, allowing the Dean the ultimate flexibility to invest in areas of need. We recommend choosing the area(s) you wish to support when you are ready to fulfill your pledge.
Can I pledge to give stocks or securities in the event of a public offering?
NYU Stern can accept stocks or securities in lieu of cash gifts. This may be a good fit for alumni whose compensation packages include stock options. To learn more about gifts of securities, please click here.
Is there a pledge minimum?
There is not a pledge minimum. At the time of your successful exit, a member of the NYU Stern Development and Alumni Relations team will work with you to determine a gift amount that is right for you.
Can the Founders' Pledge count as my Haskins Giving Society membership?
Making the pledge itself does not qualify you as a member of our Haskins Giving Society, and we encourage you to continue your annual support of Stern with contributions at a level that is right for you. Haskins Giving Society members must give at a level that meets the threshold for Haskins membership within a twelve month period in order to maintain their status.
Am I responsible for alerting Stern about my exit?
We ask that you reach out to NYU Stern about your exit to begin a discussion about completing your pledge.
I have co-founders who are not Stern alumni. Do they need to take the pledge as well?
They do not. By making the Founders' Pledge, you are pledging to personally make a significant gift to Stern in the event of a successful exit. You are not agreeing to a gift on behalf of your company.
My title is not Founder or co-Founder. Can I still participate in the Founders' Pledge?
Absolutely! Many of our alumni apply their talents to start-up ventures in a variety of leadership roles like COO or CFO. Alumni with other C-Suite roles or equivalents are also encouraged to take the Founders' Pledge.
Can I make the Pledge anonymously?
You can choose to pledge or give anonymously, and please rest assured that NYU Stern will not use your image or name without your consent. When completing the form, simply leave unchecked the button reading “I give NYU Stern permission to list me publicly as an alumni who has taken the Founders' Pledge.” If you change your mind in the future, simply notify us.
Is the Founders' Pledge legally binding?
No. By taking the Founders' Pledge, you are pledging to personally make a significant gift to Stern in the event of a successful exit. Should your circumstances change in any way, you are not legally bound to complete the pledge.
How can I find out more?
Complete this form or reach out to Kaylan Pedine, senior associate director, Major Gifts, at kpedine@stern.nyu.edu or 212.998.0681.