Together,we areGreater.

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The Campaign

Thank you for believing in Grinnell College

The future of Grinnell College — of our students, our alumni, and our global community of change makers — is more secure and well-positioned thanks to Grinnellians’ participation, engagement, and financial support throughout the Campaign for Grinnell College. 

More than 19,500 Grinnellians enthusiastically invested in students during the campaign, and every single gift enhanced the College’s ability to achieve great outcomes for current and future students. Over 4,000 Grinnellians also joined us as volunteers and we especially, and graciously, acknowledge those who played a leadership role in the Campaign for Grinnell College.

The campaign also became a catalyst for connecting alumni and donors with students and with each other and a means of reaffirming and bolstering our community. Whether you shared your time, talent, treasure, or ties, we thank you for your participation and your care for our students and the Grinnell community. 

Thank you for empowering Grinnellians to make a positive impact on the world.

Together, we are changing lives through philanthropy.

Our Focus: Academics

From coursework to life’s work: A path that goes to distant galaxies.

Physics professor Charlotte Christensen is a recognized deep space expert. Seen here in Iowa working with undergrad researchers to understand how galaxies form and evolve, she also co-leads a Gender Minorities in Physics group that pushes for equal representation of women and other gender minorities in the fields of science and physics.

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Our Focus: Commitment

Potential is the only prerequisite: Anyone, from anywhere, with drive and passion can become a true leader.

Carrie Stallings ’19 grew up in one of the poorest parts of Jackson, Mississippi, and almost didn’t take the ACT. However, after receiving generous scholarship and financial aid support from the College, she was the baccalaureate speaker at Grinnell’s Commencement and brought the crowd to tears. Her personal exploration and a multitude of experiences she had at Grinnell, have paved the way to places Carrie could never have imagined, including a Ph.D. program in sociology at Northwestern University.

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Our Focus: Community

To be not just an observer of the world, but a shaper of the world.

As a global envoy for the Institute for Global Engagement, Kaya Prasad ’19 has provided peer advising to students interested in off-campus study, internships, and other global opportunities. She has done volunteer work in Cambodia and Costa Rica, toured Singapore, and participated in a language-immersion semester in China, where she studied the impacts of social, economic, and religious policy on communities.

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Get Involved

A never-ending pursuit of the greater good.

It’s time for all of us to reinvest, to ensure that Grinnell College’s mission thrives in the world. Join us, and we can continue to prepare students for their own lifelong journeys — living, learning, and working with meaning and purpose.

Campaign events

Serving the common good is at the core of the Grinnell College mission and drives our strong community. It is thus with great care and concern for the health and wellness of our alumni, students, parents, and friends that we announce that we cancelled all of our in-person campaign events scheduled after March 1, 2020.

Recaps and picture galleries from previous campaign events are available by clicking the button below.

See all Campaign Events

Our Progress

It's up to us. All of us.

Thanks to your generosity, we have crossed our comprehensive campaign fundraising goal of $175 million. So, why are we still fundraising?  Ongoing support for each of the campaign’s priorities remains crucial to helping Grinnell increase diversity and equity, and creating the opportunity for life changing programs and opportunities for all students.


Hover over each section to see our progress.

Scholarships and Financial Aid:
$54,512,017

Individually Advised Teaching and Learning: $55,742,603

The Center for Careers, Life, and Service:
$9,285,367

Institute for Global Engagement:
$17,110,772

World-Class Facilities:
$11,892,163

The Pioneer Fund:
$29,819,758

Yet to be designated:
$1,181,898

$175M Campaign Goal

$179,555,863 As of October 31, 2020

Our Stories

Explore your impact

See how a strong culture of giving is helping Grinnell graduates become global citizens who are well-prepared to change the world.

Explore your impact