Recognition Societies
Love thee Notre Dame? Consider joining a recognition society.
Recognition societies honor those members of the Notre Dame family who provide a high level of unrestricted annual support to the University. As a member, you’ll enjoy a number of benefits, including invitations to members-only events and improved odds in the football ticket lottery – that’s our way of thanking you for giving us the flexibility to fund our most pressing needs.
How do I become a member?
To join a recognition society, all you have to do is make an annual gift of $1,500 or more in support of one of the following:
- Sorin Society (unrestricted support)
- Order of St. Thomas More (Notre Dame Law School support)
- John Cardinal O’Hara Society (MBA support)
- Director’s Circle (athletics support)
How can I make an even stronger statement?
Our president, Father John Jenkins, invites you to join the President’s Circle with an unrestricted annual gift of $25,000.
Want to include Notre Dame in your estate plans?
Consider joining the Badin Guild.
Recognition society membership is open to all alumni, parents, and friends of Notre Dame. Want to know more about Notre Dame’s recognition societies? Please contact us.
A Family Made Under the Golden Dome
When Christopher Estes (’93) proposed to Christine (Cerves) Estes (’93) in front of the Golden Dome, the New Jersey and Florida natives never imagined that life would keep them in the Midwest and bless them with all three of their children at one time (triplets!).
But what would life be, if it weren’t an adventure?
Between their busy careers—Christine has her own practice in obstetrics and gynecology, and Chris is self-employed in tax and business advisory consulting—and their active six-year-olds—Mathew, James, and Gabriella—sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day for the Estes family, but Chris and Christine always find time to visit their alma mater.
“Notre Dame was a special place for us. Not only did we meet here, but both of us made lifelong friends,” says Chris. “So many great things in our life have come about by going to ND.”
It’s because of their loyalty, and belief in the mission of the Sorin Society, that the couple decided to make a giving commitment and become members in 2002.
“We like the Sorin Society because it’s not specific,” says Chris. “The administration can spread the funding around where they need it most.”
The Esteses do all they can to ensure that Notre Dame has a successful future, of course. It won’t be too long before they might have three children all in the same freshmen class.

Arrange a Matching Gift. It’s Easy.
Love Thee Notre Dame? Join the Sorin Society.