Explore Family Leadership at Dartmouth

Two ways to lead 

The Family Leadership and Fundraising Committee offers opportunities to engage directly with other Dartmouth family members. FLFC members welcome new families to Dartmouth, serve as a source of information and guidance to other families, share professional networking expertise, hear from Dartmouth thought leaders, and invite their peers to give to the Parents and Grandparents Fund.  

 All members of the FLFC demonstrate their philanthropic support for Dartmouth with an annual leadership gift of at least $5,000 to the Parents and Grandparents Fund. The fund supports the full Dartmouth experience for every student, removing financial barriers that could prevent exceptional students from attending Dartmouth. More than half of all Dartmouth undergraduates receive financial aid, and donors to the Parents and Grandparents Fund are proud to support them and their families. 

 “As members of the FLFC, the best part of our job is reaching out to new families right after their children have been admitted. That is a wonderful phone call,” says Jill. “Then we’re there as a resource to them because, after it all settles down, they have a million questions. The committee is more than fundraising. It’s about creating that sense of community among the parents.” 

 Devereux Socas P’23,’26, another parent who is a member of both the Family Fellows Society and the Family Leadership and Fundraising Committee, said she and her husband James have enjoyed welcoming new parents to Dartmouth. 

 “For most parents, being involved in your child’s education is something that starts in preschool. You roll up your sleeves, send in snacks, participate in bake sales, and help the art class when you can,” says Devereux. “But it can be harder to find your way when your children go to college. College can be intimidating for students, and a college community can be intimidating for parents. To have somebody reach out to you—maybe somebody from your area or from your child’s high school—can be so reassuring. It felt like a meaningful way for us to help other parents join the Dartmouth community and encourage them to be engaged parents, not just spectators.” 

 The Family Fellows Society recognizes parents and other family members of current or former students who are dedicated to helping elevate the College to even greater heights. These are individuals who have made a transformative commitment—a comprehensive annual gift of $25,000 or more—to grow and strengthen Dartmouth. 

 Many members of the Family Fellows Society direct all of their giving to the Parents and Grandparents Fund, some choose to give to a single institutional priority, and most are supporting multiple areas of the College that relate to their student’s interests and experiences. 

 All members of the society have opportunities to meet with Dartmouth senior leaders, get an insider’s perspective of Dartmouth, and network with fellow leaders in the Dartmouth community. The society’s premier event is the annual Family Fellows Weekend. 

 “When we attended our first Family Fellows Weekend, we immediately realized we had found a meaningful way to get involved with Dartmouth,” says Devereux. “But it wasn’t about donating, it was more about being part of this community.” 

 Creating community is a priority for everyone involved with the FLFC or Family Fellows Society—including parents who graduated from Dartmouth. 

 Steve says he became a class agent years ago in part to reconnect with classmates he hadn’t seen for a long time.  

“As active members of the Dartmouth parents community, on the other hand, we are reaching out to people we don’t know,” he says. “We’ve never had a bad experience. We’ve enjoyed getting to know all the people we’ve called, emailed, and met. With very few exceptions, if your child goes to Dartmouth, you’re really excited and you love the place.”