The success of any new endeavor depends on the availability of ongoing and endowed support to ensure that those undertaking new initiatives are able to take advantage of opportunities and pursue promising avenues of inquiry as they arise. Washington University has made dramatic advances in recent years in fields such as renewable energy, clean coal utilization, public health, life sciences, entrepreneurship, productive aging, civic engagement and international collaborations. Philanthropic support will assure continued progress by providing a steady source of funding for collaborative research and practice; interdisciplinary program and curricular development; enabling undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to collaborate with faculty in interdisciplinary research; hosting and participating in national and international conferences and symposia; and launching promising new ventures.