MILITARY FAMILY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Military families face unique challenges before, during, and after service, from accessing behavioral healthcare to building strong community connections and pursuing new educational and career opportunities. The Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) at Purdue University is dedicated to meeting those challenges through research, programs, and partnerships that improve lives nationwide.
Now, you have the chance to step up and help MFRI fully realize $1 million in matching funds. Every contribution supports research, education, and outreach that helps military and veteran families receive more effective support. To qualify for matching funds, gifts must be received by November 17, 2027.
This is a unique opportunity for you to double the impact of your gift!
Why does this type of investment matter? Because transformational gifts make new ideas possible and ignite immediate momentum, giving MFRI the agility to:
The opportunities below offer lasting ways to invest in MFRI’s people, research, and programs. They are for cash gifts only, though deferred gifts may be considered on a case-by-case basis. To discuss your options, contact Jimmy Parker, executive director of development for the College of Health and Human Sciences, at japarker@purdueforlife.org.
Student and Organizational Impact
A $1,000 gift will help a Purdue student present MFRI research at a professional or academic conference. Support for registration, travel, and related expenses provides participants with the opportunity to share findings, learn from experts, and build professional connections while extending the reach of research that can inform programs, policies, and practices affecting military and veteran families.
A $5,000 gift will help one woman student veteran participate in the Focus Forward Fellowship research study, including the in-person portion and participation in a year-round online community. Support will help cover the costs of travel, lodging, meals, and research activities that build connections, strengthen participants’ ability to recognize and apply their strengths, and develop academic and career skills.
A $10,000 gift will provide a Purdue student with a paid research opportunity at MFRI. Working alongside experienced staff and researchers, these students build valuable research and professional skills while advancing knowledge that can strengthen support for military and veteran families.
A $20,000 gift will support a cohort of organization leaders working to strengthen their programs for military and veteran families. With guidance from MFRI, participants learn to use data or evaluation practices to better understand community needs, assess their work, and make informed decisions about how to improve their programs.
A gift of $50,000 will fund a full-year assistantship for a Purdue graduate student working with MFRI. Students from fields such as public health, user-experience design, human development and family science, and other disciplines contribute to research, data analysis, program evaluation, and the development of resources for military-connected families across the country. In return, they gain valuable experience applying their education to meaningful work.
Cornerstone Investments
A $100,000 gift will help MFRI bring Reaching Rural Veterans to food pantries in multiple rural counties. Working through trusted local pantries, MFRI helps communities connect veterans with food benefits and other resources while studying how these connections can be strengthened and sustained.
A $150,000 gift will cover the cost of bringing 20 women student veterans to Purdue University for the in-person portion of the Focus Forward Fellowship research study while also supporting their participation in a year-round online community. Women student veterans often navigate college and the transition to civilian careers while facing challenges their peers may not share, including isolation, difficulty connecting with campus resources, and limited access to peers who understand their military experiences. The Focus Forward Fellowship study brings participants together to build supportive relationships, recognize and apply their strengths, develop professional skills, and expand their academic and career networks.
A $500,000 community outreach fund will help MFRI staff, Purdue faculty, and students translate research and data into resources for professionals, organizations, and communities that work with military and veteran families. The fund will support programs such as Star Behavioral Health Providers, Measuring Communities, Reaching Rural Veterans, and Focus Forward Fellowship. Through this work, behavioral health providers can strengthen their understanding of military culture, communities can use data to identify and respond to local needs, and MFRI can continue research-based programs that engage directly with rural veterans and women student veterans.
A $500,000 research development fund will help MFRI pursue new ideas, partnerships, and discoveries. This fund will support:
A $2 million gift—or two $1 million gifts—will name two senior directorships. These leadership positions help sustain day-to-day operations, advance major initiatives, and expand the executive director’s capacity to guide MFRI’s work.
A $3 million gift to name the institute will support an endowment that strengthens MFRI’s long-term capacity. This investment will equip the director and staff to sustainably shape policies, programs, and practices that improve the overall well-being of military and veteran families for years to come.
If you are interested in any of the options listed above, please contact Jimmy Parker, executive director of development for the College of Health and Human Sciences, at japarker@purdueforlife.org.