Richard Griffin’s recent $1 million commitment to the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government (CCCG)—an endowed gift honoring his late brother Bob—will fund student internships in perpetuity, extending the Griffin brothers’ shared commitment to Notre Dame’s Catholic mission and civic education. The gift is the latest step in a relationship with the University that spans more than six decades. Griffin sees the endowment as consistent with a lifetime philosophy: investing time and resources into Notre Dame students and supporting the Catholic mission of the University.
The new endowment honors Bob Griffin, who passed away in 2024, and is designed to support CCCG-affiliated student internships for generations to come. As Griffin put it, “We wanted to give something that is lasting in honor of the both of us.” Griffin believes the CCCG meets a pressing need in American higher education, noting that “Students need to learn what it is to be a good citizen and why we have the Constitution.” He chose to support civic internships specifically to encourage students to “go out on these internships and find out what is really happening. They learn a lot about the real world and sharpen their skills.” He also expects the internships funded through the endowment to reflect well on the University. “Organizations have got to be impressed with the quality of Notre Dame students. It’s a win-win proposition.”
Through gifts like the Griffin brothers’ endowment, the CCCG provides financial support for CCCG-affiliated students’ participation in internships, academic programs, and research projects. Students pursue opportunities in politics, law, government, and related sectors that align with the center’s mission. By making these opportunities possible—and ensuring they remain accessible regardless of financial circumstance—the Griffin brothers’ gift enables students to develop professionally, deepen their understanding of constitutional government, and carry the University’s Catholic mission beyond campus.
Griffin’s friendship with the CCCG began about four years ago, prompted in part by his brother Bob. Wanting to “find the places in the University that support our Catholic mission,” the brothers found that the center’s work closely resonated with their shared goals. After meeting Director Phillip Muñoz, they determined to support the center’s distinctive approach to cultivating civic dialogue and education through the Catholic tradition—an approach they ultimately chose to strengthen through an endowed gift.
Originally from East St. Louis, Illinois, Griffin graduated from Notre Dame in 1960 with a degree in chemical engineering. After earning a fellowship at Northwestern for a master’s degree, he began a career as an engineer in New York before completing an MBA in finance at NYU. His professional life included owning and investing in manufacturing businesses and serving two decades as a CFO. He and his wife of sixty years raised four children and now have five grandchildren. Reflecting on his time at Notre Dame, Griffin is clear about its lasting impact: “The four years I spent there set me up well—spiritually and financially. We are very happy that I attended Notre Dame.” That conviction ultimately shaped the Griffin brothers’ decision to invest directly in student opportunities through the CCCG.
Griffin’s support of the CCCG stems from the same principle that has guided his lifelong engagement with the University: investing in students is the most effective way to do good for Notre Dame. “I’m an investor,” Griffin explained, “and I invest time and I invest money. I always want a return.” For Griffin, that return is straightforward. “The education they have gotten at Notre Dame has been a return for us. I’m sure they’ve gone out into the world and done some good things. The success of those people is the return on the investment to give them an education.”
From a student’s perspective, the impact of the Griffin brothers’ gift is tangible. Kathleen Farnan, a senior double-major in Theology and Philosophy with a minor in Constitutional Studies, reflected on how the CCCG’s support shaped her internship experience this past summer with Napa Legal Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that supports religious nonprofits in navigating complex legal landscapes. “For the past two summers, the CCCG has funded internships for me which otherwise would have been a significant financial burden to myself and my family,” she said. “Without help from the CCCG, I would not have had the amazing opportunities that I did.” She added, “This gift will help future students in my situation to accept opportunities which they could not otherwise.”
“As a professor,” Muñoz said, “there is nothing more disheartening than to see talented students given opportunities to grow their careers through internships and programming that they are unable to pursue due to financial hardship. We are grateful to the Griffin brothers for addressing this need and for their dedication to developing the next generation of civic leaders through their generosity.”
Learn more about how the center supports professional development for undergraduates.