MFSA Launches $100,000 Matching Fundraising Campaign

This week, the MIT Free Speech Alliance is launching a $100,000 matching gift campaign, led by MFSA Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs Pete Denton ‘67 and Neil Webber ‘83. Our Co-Chairs have each generously committed to donating $50,000 to MFSA if the organization can raise an additional $100,000 from its members by the end of 2025. This fundraising campaign, MFSA’s largest to date, speaks to our determination to reach more members of the MIT community with our programming and advocacy, and to the continued need for free speech reforms at MIT.

In co-leading this fundraising campaign, Denton and Webber have charged MFSA and its members to increase their own support for the organization, which can be accomplished in the following ways:

First-time donors to MFSA who give in the amount of $1,000 or higher will have the full amount of their gift matched by our fundraising co-chairs.
Previous donors to the organization who increase their giving by $1,000 or more will see their entire gift matched.
MFSA donors who bring in new members making first time donations this year will have the new members’ donations credited toward their giving total for matching purposes.

"This year Pete and Neil have added experienced leadership to our fundraising operations. We’re thrilled to have their guidance, built on their experience in the corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic worlds, and to have them step up together to support this campaign," said MFSA President Wayne Stargardt ’74. “We are confident that their generous support combined with the commitment of our members can achieve our ambitious 2025 fundraising target.”

We're excited to note at the outset of our campaign that donors have already contributed more than a third of our $100,000 target. MFSA thanks those members for their enthusiastic support and for giving early momentum to our campaign, which runs through December 31, 2025.

“MFSA is at an important point in its mission,” said Stargardt. “We’ve provided constructive recommendations to MIT and launched a series of effective programs, including our well-regarded debate series and conferences. But self-censorship still has a grip on the MIT community. Free expression and viewpoint diversity are still not broadly tolerated. Our fundraising enables us to continue advocating for MIT's exceptional culture of intellectual freedom, open discourse, and academic freedom.”

MFSA accepts gifts made by check, PayPal, or credit card in addition to donations made through retirement accounts or donor-advised funds. Gifts made to MFSA's Concerned Donors Fund are also eligible to be included in the matching campaign. Complete instructions for how to contribute to MFSA can be found on our website.

Questions regarding MFSA's fundraising campaign may be directed by email to giving@mitfreespeech.org.