HomeDonate

Giving Clubs

As a Mercatus Center supporter, you are an investor in our programs and activities and deserve the recognition and communication that any investor would expect.

Through Mercatus's giving circles we recognize the generosity of our supporters around the country and offer special opportunities for you to receive a first-hand look at the Mercatus Center's initiatives.  Members are honored with a listing on a plaque at our headquarters, the quarterly Mercatus Brief newsletter, and many other special benefits.

As you scroll down, you'll learn more information about the Mercatus Center's giving circles.  To find out how you can become a member of a circle, please contact Julie Burden at jburden2@gmu.edu or by calling 1-800-815-5711.

Thank you for your support of the Mercatus Center!

Liberty Circle

Our Liberty Circle members give $1,000 or more per calendar year.  In addition to a listing on the plaque at Mercatus Center headquarters, members of the Liberty Circle are invited to participate in our semi-monthly conference calls with Mercatus Center scholars, such as CNBC talk show host Larry Kudlow, and the opportunity to attend the annual Liberty Circle meeting.

Each year, members of the Liberty Circle are invited to an annual gathering at our headquarters near Washington, DC.  There, members can meet and visit with our scholars and staff, be briefed on new and ongoing projects, and hear from the movers and shakers who are working to enable individuals to live free, prosperous, and peaceful lives.

Founders Circle

Members of the Mercatus Center's Founders Circle give $10,000 or more each year.  Founders Circle members enjoy all the benefits of the Liberty Circle, plus an invitation to the exclusive Founders Circle Retreat, held each spring.

The Founders Circle Retreat is an opportunity for us to thank our special  contributors and for Founders to enjoy the company of fellow supporters who share a commitment to freedom.  Each Retreat features Mercatus and George Mason University scholars and offers a lively program with speakers such as:

• Jonathan Karl, CNN correspondent
• Larry Kudlow, CNBC talk show host and economist
• Claudia Rosett, former Wall Street Journal journalist 
• Amity Shlaes, Bloomberg columnist
• Kenneth Starr, Former U.S. Solicitor General
• Vernon Smith, Nobel Laureate and economist
• John Stossel, ABC News 20/20 anchor
• Walter Williams, syndicated columnist and George Mason Economics Professor

Often, our supporters make a vacation of the retreat and bring their families to enjoy the festivities and make the most of the surrounding areas.  Previous Retreats were held at Biltmore Resort in Phoenix, Arizona, the Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida, and Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, California. 

Founders Circle Executive Level

The Executive Level of Founders Circle recognizes those generous supporters who have contributed $25,000 or more during the calendar year.  In addition to all the benefits of the Founders Circle, Executive Level supporters are invited to special, one-of-a-kind events throughout the year.

Legacy Circle

The newest addition to the Mercatus Center's Giving Circles is Legacy Circle, honoring supporters who have chosen to invest in the Mercatus Center through a planned gift, such as a charitable gift annuity, bequest, inclusion in their wills, or gifts through their life insurance or retirement plans.  For more information on making a planned gift, please visit our planned giving page.