Founders’ Council was established in 1984 to recognize generous alumni and friends who have made provisions of at least $25,000 for the future financial strength of Georgia Tech. Planned gifts include non-contingent bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, gifts of retirement-plan assets, charitable lead trusts, retained life estate gifts, pooled income funds, and life insurance.

The Georgia Tech Founders' Council was named to commemorate the contributions of these prominent individuals in Georgia Tech's past. Founders’ Council was named for visionary philanthropists who were instrumental to the establishment of Georgia Tech. As Georgia’s economy rose from the ashes of the Civil War, Macon industrialist J. F. Hanson (1840-1910) saw a growing need for technological education. His case inspired Macon attorney Nathaniel E. Harris (1846-1929), who was elected to Georgia's General Assembly on the platform of building a technical school. Henry W. Grady (1850-1889) of The Atlanta Constitution used his editorial clout to voice the urgency of the situation. Harris successfully drafted the legislation to establish Georgia School of Technology and then chaired the organizing commission on which Samuel M. Inman (1843-1915), Columbus Heard (1834-1912), Edward R. Hodgson (1846-1920), and Oliver S. Porter (1836-1914) served. Richard Peters (1810-1889) donated land on North Avenue to secure the Georgia School of Technology for the city of Atlanta.

Like these remarkable founders of Georgia Tech, you can make a profound impact on the Institute, preserving your legacy and providing meaningful support for Georgia Tech through a bequest provision. Let us help you get started.