Donating to College Alma Mater

[AXiDTrish]

I serve on my university's alum assoc board and the one thing I've learned is that it isn't the amount of money given, but the number of people who give that matters. There are those fortunate few who can make huge donations, but the reality is that most of us can afford a minimal amount. When universities apply for grants and such, those offering the grants tend to look at the percentage of alumni who donate to see if the grads from the universities support their alma mater. Some schools have ridiculously rich endowments and foundations, but for those of us who go to the area State U the alum donations in any minimal amount can make a HUGE difference.

Moral of the story.....when you get that envelope, put $5 in it and send it back to your alma mater. It absolutely DOES make a difference!

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by AXiDTrish

I serve on my university's alum assoc board and the one thing I've learned is that it isn't the amount of money given, but the number of people who give that matters.

I almost slipped into the script that we used in the development office lol. "US News and World Report's College Rankings rank based on the NUMBER of alums giving rather than the AMOUNT...so anything that you can give would be great!"

[AXOmom]

No I don't give.

Paying for pretty new buildings at my alma mater is Phil Knight's job. He's happy doing it and most of us are happy to let him. In return he gets to run the show (kind of) and we buy athletic apparel with swooshes all over it. It's a win-win. Well....other than being called whores on a regular basis, but I taught junior high, so I've been called worse. I've made my peace with it. .

In truth, they call and I say no because I'm not in a financial position to do so and my charitable giving is engaged elsewhere. Besides, as much as I loved my university, my parents paid for me and I paid for my daughter so I feel as if we've done our bit for God and country.

When I win the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, I will reconsider my position. Maybe sooner because I just read AxiDTrish's post and now I feel incredible guilt.

[AXiDTrish]

AXOMom....I never understand when people donate to athletic depts or things like that. I mean, really?

I ALWAYS donate to the scholarship fund. I'd rather send a student to school! As a donor, you should always be able to decide where you money goes. I send a $20 check to State U every January. It's not much, but it's what I can do. A few years ago it was only $10. Alpha Xi Delta on the other hand gets more of my money. I donate to our Foundation, but I support the local level too. It's not tax deductible when I donate to the chapter I advise or my own chapter, but I take comfort in knowing I support nationally as well as locally. And most important....I love my girls!

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by AXiDTrish

AXOMom....I never understand when people donate to athletic depts or things like that. I mean, really?

I ALWAYS donate to the scholarship fund. I'd rather send a student to school! As a donor, you should always be able to decide where you money goes. I send a $20 check to State U every January. It's not much, but it's what I can do. A few years ago it was only $10. Alpha Xi Delta on the other hand gets more of my money. I donate to our Foundation, but I support the local level too. It's not tax deductible when I donate to the chapter I advise or my own chapter, but I take comfort in knowing I support nationally as well as locally. And most important....I love my girls!

At some schools you have to "donate" to the athletic department in order to qualify for season tickets for football. This is how it works at LSU. A minimum donation is needed for each level of tickets. As for bigger donors, they are often former athletes who believe in the mission of the athletic program of their alma mater. It's an expensive endeavor and donors are always needed for stadium upgrades, etc.

ETA: it's the Athletic Foundation not the department directly.

[aephi alum]

I do not donate to my alma mater.

I participated in a five-year bachelor's/master's degree program. During my graduate year, I lived in graduate student housing with my then-fiancé, also a grad student. We didn't have caller ID, but if you got a call from on-campus you heard a double ring, while if you got a call from off campus you heard a single ring.

So he and I are in our apartment one evening when the phone rings - double ring.

Me: Hello?
Caller: Good evening, may I speak to aephi alum?
Me: This is she.
Caller: Hi, I'm calling on behalf of the school's telethon. For a generous donation of $250, you can -
Me: Hold it right there. You called my campus extension, right?
Caller: Yes...
Me: You only dialed five digits, right? You didn't dial 9, right?
Caller: Right...
Me: You therefore KNOW that I live in grad student housing, and am therefore more than likely a GRAD STUDENT. A POOR STARVING GRAD STUDENT. And YOU'RE asking me to fork over two hundred and fifty dollars???
Caller: Um... well, class participation percentage is more important than the dollar amount. You could maybe contribute $100, or...
Me: No.
Caller: Or even $25... or even $10... <sensing a lost cause>
Me: How about zero?!?

And I hung up.

A couple of minutes later, they called back for my fiancé (his last name was just a bit after my maiden name alphabetically). We let our answering machine have the pleasure of taking that call.

The thing is, I might have been willing to send a small donation their way each year, had that one call not left such a bad taste in my mouth.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

I do not donate to my alma mater.

I participated in a five-year bachelor's/master's degree program. During my graduate year, I lived in graduate student housing with my then-fiancé, also a grad student. We didn't have caller ID, but if you got a call from on-campus you heard a double ring, while if you got a call from off campus you heard a single ring.

So he and I are in our apartment one evening when the phone rings - double ring.

Me: Hello?
Caller: Good evening, may I speak to aephi alum?
Me: This is she.
Caller: Hi, I'm calling on behalf of the school's telethon. For a generous donation of $250, you can -
Me: Hold it right there. You called my campus extension, right?
Caller: Yes...
Me: You only dialed five digits, right? You didn't dial 9, right?
Caller: Right...
Me: You therefore KNOW that I live in grad student housing, and am therefore more than likely a GRAD STUDENT. A POOR STARVING GRAD STUDENT. And YOU'RE asking me to fork over two hundred and fifty dollars???
Caller: Um... well, class participation percentage is more important than the dollar amount. You could maybe contribute $100, or...
Me: No.
Caller: Or even $25... or even $10... <sensing a lost cause>
Me: How about zero?!?

And I hung up.

LOL!!! My alma mater has done the same and I too have to just hang up.

My situation is that it's not that I won't or wouldn't give to my alma mater, it's because my time & what spare money I do have usually goes to Kappa Alpha Theta causes--I support my chapter by volunteering (Advisory Board Chairman, Ritual Advisor, Administration Advisor, Facility Advisor) and I also purchase small things here and there for them like food & recruitment survival kits. I support my local alumnae group, which I founded as President and founded it to engage local alumnae to support my chapter. I am a yearly contributor to the Theta Foundation & our Friendship Fund. Being a Theta is one of the best decisions I've made and continues to be one of my greatest life experiences. It is both an honor and privilege to be able to give my time and what extra money I have to Theta, an organization that has and continues to give me so much.

[AXOmom]

Originally Posted by AXiDTrish

AXOMom....I never understand when people donate to athletic depts or things like that. I mean, really?

I ALWAYS donate to the scholarship fund. I'd rather send a student to school! As a donor, you should always be able to decide where you money goes. I send a $20 check to State U every January. It's not much, but it's what I can do. A few years ago it was only $10. Alpha Xi Delta on the other hand gets more of my money. I donate to our Foundation, but I support the local level too. It's not tax deductible when I donate to the chapter I advise or my own chapter, but I take comfort in knowing I support nationally as well as locally. And most important....I love my girls!

Well in all fairness to Uncle Phil, he doesn't just give to the athletic department. He does give generously on the academic side as well (although he gives more to our athletic department). When I said he builds pretty buildings for us - a lot of those are academic buildings that he's either built or remodeled. Some would argue that because he gives so generously to the athletic department - it is one of the few that runs in the black and doesn't pull any money from the school. He also gives A LOT to academics at Stanford.

Beyond that you have guilted me into thinking I should give at least a little something the next time they call. Do you work in fundraising because if not - you should consider it. .

[AXiDTrish]

Originally Posted by AXOmom

Well in all fairness to Uncle Phil, he doesn't just give to the athletic department. He does give generously on the academic side as well (although he gives more to our athletic department). When I said he builds pretty buildings for us - a lot of those are academic buildings that he's either built or remodeled. Some would argue that because he gives so generously to the athletic department - it is one of the few that runs in the black and doesn't pull any money from the school. He also gives A LOT to academics at Stanford.

Beyond that you have guilted me into thinking I should give at least a little something the next time they call. Do you work in fundraising because if not - you should consider it. .

No, I don't work in fundraising. LOL! I work in insurance! I tend to be passionate when I volunteer and I'm quite skilled at getting people to donate the three T's...Time, Talent, and/or Treasure! Everyone has something they are willing to give. I also love to network, so you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours! It's all about making it personal and I do that very well.

Don't feel guilty on my account. Everyone has their things they donate too.