The University of Virginia has announced gifts from alumnus John L. Nau III (’68) and the John L. Nau III Foundation totaling $17.6 million in support of the core principles of democracy and the teaching of history.

The gifts include $15 million to establish an endowment for the Karsh Institute of Democracy, enabling the institute to fund academic initiatives and programs that foster civil debate on issues of national importance, the study of democracy, and related public outreach. In addition, a gift of $2.6 million will fund a three-year project to digitize civil war records in the John L. Nau III Center for Civil War History as well as academic opportunities in the school’s history department, including three graduate fellowships, three additional undergraduate internships, provide housing stipends for interns, support for a postdoctoral fellow, and funding for an annual summer teachers’ seminar as well as a staff position to oversee the expanded programs.

A longtime supporter of the university, the foundation previously awarded $16.6 million to establish the Nau Center, and in 2020, committed $27.5 million to endow the university’s Democracy Initiative. The Karsh Institute was established in 2021 with a $50 million gift from alumni Martha (’81) and Bruce (’80) Karsh.

“The Nau Foundation’s extraordinary generosity positions the Karsh Institute for impact…beyond the University,” said Karsh Institute executive director Melody Barnes. “It enhances our ability to accelerate collaboration among UVA’s world-class schools, centers, faculty and students; develop unique and effective programming; and build meaningful local, state and national partnerships.”

(Photo credit: University of Virginia)