In 1966, the Board of Trustees established the Society of University Founders to honor those individuals, families, corporations, foundations and organizations having contributed $50,000 or more to the University. In 1983, the further distinction of Grand Founder was added in recognition of the growing number of contributions in excess of $100,000. In 1985, the Board of Trustees inaugurated three additional donor societies.

• The Ibis Society for contributions over $250,000
• The Bowman Foster Ashe Society for contributions over $500,000
• The George E. Merrick Society for gifts in excess of $1 million

As we launch Momentum: The Campaign for the University of Miami, two new donor societies have been created for those extraordinary benefactors who have transformed the University of Miami.

• The Miami Society for contributions over $10 million
• The Millennium Society for gifts in excess of $50 million

The Millennium Society

The newly created Millennium Society honors those whose commitments to the University of Miami have reached $50 million and above. Individual members of The Millennium Society are recognized by a handcrafted piece of glass designed by faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences.

With their extraordinary philanthropy and spirit of devotion, members of The Millennium Society lay the foundation for the University of Miami’s future in this millennium and beyond. They also take their rightful place alongside such visionaries as George Merrick, Bowman Foster Ashe, Henry King Stanford, and others as pivotal figures in the University’s proud history.

The Miami Society

The world is changing rapidly, and Miami is setting the pace for that change.

The Miami Society honors individuals who are inspired by the University’s impressive past and wish to secure its future as one of the nation’s great academic institutions. Each has made commitments to the University totaling $10 million or more. Individual members of the new Miami Society are recognized by a handcrafted piece of glass designed by faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Since the University was founded, the largesse of philanthropists has helped shape its history. Advances in research, student scholarships and state-of-the-art facilities are made possible in part by dedicated donors. The University’s continuing success is bolstered by the leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment of individuals whose generosity has earned them membership in The Miami Society.

The George E. Merrick Society

The George E. Merrick Society is named after the founder of both the city of Coral Gables and the University of Miami. The eldest son of one of the area's pioneers, Merrick joined with Judge William E. Walsh, William Jennings Bryan, and other community leaders to formulate the university's original charter.

The George E. Merrick Society honors those whose commitments to the University have reached $1 million and above. Individual members of the society are recognized by a golden medallion suspended from a golden chain. Members also receive a specially-commissioned Steuben Crystal - The Pyramid Block - bearing the University of Miami seal and the name of the society.

The Bowman Foster Ashe Society

The Bowman Foster Ashe Society is named for the founding president of the University, who was both an educator and an acclaimed attorney. President Ashe guided the early University of Miami through the difficult days of the Great Depression to the booming '50s, when the student population exceeded 10,000 and the University's initial educational programs had blossomed into a comprehensive spectrum, including Florida's first School of Medicine.

The Bowman Foster Ashe Society recognizes individuals, families, corporations, foundations and organizations with total commitments to the University of $500,000 and above. Individual members of the society are recognized by a pewter medallion suspended from a white ribbon, and are presented with a specially-commissioned Steuben Crystal - Tetrahedon - bearing the University of Miami seal and the name of the society.

The Ibis Society

The Ibis Society is named for the University of Miami's mascot, the Ibis – an ancient symbol of enlightenment. Early Egyptians used the Ibis as a symbol of wisdom, and the modern White Ibis is native to South Florida.

The Ibis Society honors those whose total commitment to the University has reached at least $250,000. Individual members of the Society are recognized with a copper medallion suspended from an orange ribbon. Members receive a specially-commissioned glass engraving bearing the name of the society.

The Society of University Founders

The Society of University Founders is the oldest recognized donor society at the University of Miami, beginning with 140 charter members in 1966. The category of Grand Founder was added in 1983.

While “founder” suggests the early years of the University, the Society of University Founders echoes the nature of the University as a living, growing entity. As the University of Miami progresses through the growth of its programs, so will the Society flourish as new members join.

Founders are those whose total commitment to the University is $50,000 or more. Founders are recognized with a bronze medallion suspended from a green and orange ribbon – the University's official colors. Grand Founders are those whose total commitment exceeds $100,000. Their bronze medallions are worn on green ribbons.