April 27–May 3, 2026
HERTZ FUND GIVING WEEK
Thank you to everyone who joined us with a gift during our inaugural 2026 Hertz Fund Giving Week. Together, we raised $160,000! Annual gifts of all sizes yield collective impact, and together, this community has made a powerful investment in our shared future. Every gift helps us identify and empower the nation’s most exceptional innovators. Stay tuned for news on Hertz Fund Giving Week in 2027.
One week. One community. $160K raised.
We made history. Our first-ever Hertz Fund Giving Week was a success — a testament to the enduring strength of the Hertz community and the future we are building together. This is what you built. We are grateful to call you part of the Hertz community.
$160K
raised through this extraordinary community
40%
of donors made their second Hertz Fund gift this year
6%
of donors made their first-ever gift
7%
of donors made their largest-ever gift
Every gift received during Hertz Fund Giving Week counted toward the Make History Campaign, our first-ever campaign to award more fellowships, deepen lifelong support for Fellows, and expand the partnerships that multiply their impact. Gifts of $1,000 and under made up 28% of our challenge goal, and every donor helped us surpass our $40K goal!
LEARN ABOUT the make history campaign50+
Events drew more than 2,300 attendees, in person and virtually, across 14 regions
33
Fellows engaged via talks or career stories across stages
22
Graduates participated in the pilot early career mentor program
Engagement among the Hertz Community of fellows and friends grew in 2025, creating deeper connections to each other and the foundation. Thoughtful storytelling by fellows all across the country increased exposure for the public phase of our fundraising campaign, while one-on-one and group career mentoring opportunities expanded significantly.
highlights of our community UPCOMING EVENTSThe Hertz Foundation is a model of inclusive collaboration in science and technology. Committed to practices that better recruit, support and empower diverse innovators from all backgrounds, we expanded initiatives that enhance inclusivity.
Digital, On-Demand Expansion
9K+ applicant and advisor views of application materials
National Conference Engagement
500+ students reached at S-STEM panel and booth
2 Sessions, 13 Fellows, Topics:
Application and interview advice, underrepresentation in STEM, building resiliency in graduate school
Strengthening Institutional Partnerships
Major R1, Midwest, and underrepresented-serving institutions
Expanded Partnership with Society of Black Physicists:
Trained NSBP board member to better inform NSBP faculty network and strengthen advising for future applicants.
Collaborated with AAAS STEMM Opportunity Alliance:
Participated in NYC workshop engaging diverse research communities
We deepened our commitment to partnership development, forming a diverse community of universities, corporations, foundations, and government agencies who share our goals for a better future. Partnerships enhance the Hertz Fellowship experience through career opportunities, networking events, and programming; expand access to funding; and elevate the Hertz Foundation’s visibility nationwide.
SEE ALL PARTNERS
Make a Gift
Although Hertz Fund Giving Week has ended, we invite you to make a gift to the Hertz Fund — ensuring that the next generation of brilliant scientists and engineers have the freedom to innovate.
“The idea of an annual Giving Week for the Hertz Foundation just makes sense. These donations support the Hertz Fund, which gives the Foundation the flexibility to serve the full range of activities that make our community thrive. The Hertz community benefits all 1,300+ Hertz Fellows — from our newest Class of 2026 to more senior Fellows like me, a member of the Class of 1970. As one of hundreds of volunteers helping to make the Hertz Foundation successful, I see firsthand how important the Hertz Fund is to the success of our mission.”
Lee Swanger
Challenge: Accepted
Thanks to the generosity of Hertz Fellow and Council member Cameron Geddes, all gifts made during Hertz Fund Giving Week were matched dollar for dollar on the first $40,000 raised. The community answered — raising $120K and fully unlocking the match for a total of $160K for the Hertz Fund. Fellows at every career stage, alongside friends, parents, and supporters of all kinds, showed up for the mission. Every gift was a statement of belief in this work and the people doing it.
“Our community is powerful when we come together, something we saw during the recent Hertz Fund Fall Challenges. I’m proud to build on that momentum with a match open to every member of our community, because I believe deeply in the future of this Foundation and the legacy we’re building together.”
Cameron Geddes
FOR FELLOWS, By Fellows
No fellowship produces impact like this one, because the Hertz Community unites some of the world’s most brilliant minds—where ideas converge, collaborations form, and bold endeavors are championed. Hertz Fellows don’t just advance science; they’re driven by what’s at stake, tackling the problems that matter most, at the moments that matter most.
All gifts help us Make History
As with all gifts to the Hertz Fund this year, gifts made during Hertz Fund Giving Week counted towards our Make History Campaign—fueling more Hertz Fellowships, deepening lifelong community support, expanding our reach, and building partnerships that accelerate scientific progress. Thank you for joining us as we make history together.
“Support from the Hertz Foundation has made such a transformative difference in my graduate school experience. I am so grateful for the opportunities my Hertz Fellowship has provided to conduct research with intellectual freedom and to engage with the inspiring Hertz community. As I receive my PhD and begin my next chapter as an early career Hertz Fellow, it is so meaningful to me to donate back to the Foundation with an annual gift to the Hertz Fund.”
Dina Sharon
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