Good Neighbor

Founded in 1789, Georgetown University has maintained a close relationship with the nation's capital for more than two centuries, providing services, opportunities, leadership and resources to District neighborhoods, businesses and government. The university takes seriously its role to contribute in a variety of ways to bettering the economic, cultural and social fabric of Washington, D.C.

Access to University Resources

As a major international research University, Georgetown offers its neighbors access to a wide variety of resources, including lectures by prominent public figures and scholars; courses in advanced degrees, as well as a wide variety of non-credit classes; a library with over one million volumes and cutting-edge electronic research tools (neighbors can become a Library Associate with checkout privileges for $100); religious services; performing arts and other cultural events; support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and cancer support groups; and athletic facilities and sporting events. 

Volunteerism and Service

At Georgetown, community service and volunteerism have long been defining characteristics of students' education and the University's mission. Georgetown embraces and lives out the Catholic, Jesuit ideal of service in its undergraduate, graduate, law and medical schools. Georgetown currently sponsors more than 100 community service initiatives that involve countless students, faculty, staff and alumni, and range from tutoring children to offering pro bono legal services and providing health care for the medically underserved.

Supporting the Local Economy

Georgetown's powerful impact on the District's economy is evident not only in the money spent in the District by the University, but also in the spending of students and employees and the multiplier effect of university expenditures. More than 33,000 alumni live in the D.C. area. In fiscal year 2009, Georgetown contributed directly to the District's economy in the following ways:

  • Paid approximately $127 million in wages and salaries to D.C. employees.
  • Spent approximately $72 million in the purchase of goods and services from vendors located in the District and paid $29 million to Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs).
  • Paid approximately $9 million in taxes to the District.
  • Employed approximately 8,300 faculty and staff, on the Main Campus alone, 38% of whom are residents of the District.