About us

Mission & History

The Mission

“To support, promote and advance the mission of The Naval Postgraduate School by working with school leadership to identify strategic institutional priorities, and by raising, managing, and disbursing private gifts that provide the margin of excellence for continuing educational and intellectual discourse in areas of strategic consequence at the nation's preeminent national defense research university.”

Our History

Founded in 1970 at the request of former Naval Postgraduate School Superintendent Rear Adm. Robert McNitt, the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation has a strong history of supporting our nation’s top graduate-level military institution. For decades, the Foundation has administered private donations to the school, improved the school’s physical facilities, funded innovative research to address national security issues, and led many other initiatives to elevate the educational experience for our nation’s service members.
As any good navy story begins, it all started with sailboats. The NPS Foundation’s first contribution to the school came in the form of four of these boats, used to establish a sailing and seamanship program. From this first donation in 1971, the NPS Foundation was born and has since continued to grow and greatly expand the ways it supports NPS. In 2018, NPSF became the NPS Foundation & Alumni Association, as the organization officially established an alumni association for NPS graduates.
Since its inception, the Foundation has provided an opportunity for the civilian community and military to work together for mutual benefit and the advancement of the Department of Defense. While funding NPS research and elevating students’ experience remain top priorities for the Foundation, the NPS Foundation also focuses on community outreach programs that link civilian and military communities, like NPS Discovery Day.
As we look toward the future, we will continue to grow and develop alongside NPS. But our mission remains the same; to support NPS and maintain the school’s margin of excellence to advance the mission of the U.S. Military and prepare our future Department of Defense leaders to protect our national security.

Our History

Founded in 1970 at the request of former Naval Postgraduate School Superintendent Rear Adm. Robert McNitt, the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation has a strong history of supporting our nation’s top graduate-level military institution. For decades, the Foundation has administered private donations to the school, improved the school’s physical facilities, funded innovative research to address national security issues, and led many other initiatives to elevate the educational experience for our nation’s service members.
Since its inception, the Foundation has provided an opportunity for members of the civilian community and the military to work together for the mutual benefit of all. While funding NPS research and elevating students’ experience remain top priorities for the Foundation, the NPS Foundation also focuses on programs that link civilian and military communities like NPS Discovery Day.
As we look toward the future, we will continue to grow and develop alongside NPS. But our mission remains the same; to support NPS and maintain the school’s margin of excellence in order to advance the mission of the U.S. Military and prepare our future Department of Defense leaders to protect our national security.

1971

The Foundation receives its second-ever donation, used to establish the Rear Adm. John J. Schieffelin Award for Excellence in Teaching

1989

The Foundation starts supporting the Leadership Lecture Series (now known as Secretary of the Navy Guest Lectures). NPSF continues to sponsor post-lecture receptions to allow students to meet internationally known speakers

1991

The Foundation hires its longest employee, Valerie Jensen, who retired in 2021 after 30 years of service to the Naval Postgraduate School

2003

Pathway to the Future starts as a fundraiser for the school. These custom engraved bricks on the NPS campus are now a way to stay connected with campus.

2004

The Foundation institutes its first iteration of a membership model, with 100 founding members open to NPS faculty/staff and community members.

2005

The inaugural NPSF America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament takes place to support charities that help members of the military community and their families.

2008

The inaugural NPSF Grand Winter Ball takes place as the Foundation’s annual fundraising event. It is now known as the premier holiday event on the Monterey Peninsula.
The membership model expands to include NPS students, which offers several membership tiers.

2009

The NPSF Cycling Club forms and sparks the start of several other clubs. The student club program has since grown to include 14 different clubs that enrich students’ NPS experience.

2016

The Foundation starts the Seed Program through the Defense Innovation Fund to award $10k to NPS professors to turn their research ideas into action. The first 21 projects are funded this year.

2018

The Foundation becomes the NPS Foundation & Alumni Association, establishing an alumni association for NPS graduates.

2019

Foundation takes role in establishing NPS-industry partnerships

2021

Sea Air Land Military Research Lab opens

2022

78th Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announces his intent to create a Naval Innovation Center at the Naval Postgraduate School. By the end of FY 2022, the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation had invested over $1.5 Million in the planning and development of the Naval Innovation Center vision and schematic designs.

2023

Meet The Leadership & Staff That Keeps NPSF On Course

Leadership & Staff

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Our Trustees

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Advisory Council

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