Giving back to your Alma Mater

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by BLUTANG
I support my alma mater by being an active financial member of the local alumni association. We do things like offer scholarships, recruiting, ...

Same here!

[Eclipse]

Thanks to everyone that responded. I was suprised at the low levels of giving at my beloved alma mater and it really hurt my heart. I am really trying to actively think of ways to assist them in raising more funds--especially from my classmates. I had a wonderful Spelman experience and I want others to share in it!

I must admit, that I gave consistently my first 3 - 5 years out of college but slacked off considerably after that. Other things just seemed to take priority. I've put Spelman back on my priority list (right up there with tithe and morgage) and am even thinking about doing EFT or BillPay through my bank.

For those of you who say "I'll do it when I have the funds" let me share 1 fact that our Development people shared with us: Many foundations who are donating $$$ look at the % of Alum giving when making decisions who they want to give to. If there is strong giving from the graduates the decision makers are more willing to give money because they say the people who know the institution best support it. One of the folks even said "I don't care if you just give $5.00 a year, but give something. Every gift counts." Now of course you know the goal was WAY more than $5, but the point is to increase the %.

My fellow Spelman sisters on the site (I know WenD08 & abaici are Spelmanites, not sure who else) make sure you go to the Banquet during your reunion year. It was absolutely wonderful!! The parade of classes where each class gives their class gifts was so nice and there was not a dry eye in the house when this little old lady from the class of 1933 (that right, she graduated from COLLEGE in 1933) said as she presented their check for $5,000 "We couldn't give as much as some of the other classes because there aren't that many of us left....we are just happy to be ALIVE!!"

[Honeykiss1974]

The thread in Greek Life about the OSU Alum that donated $165 million dollars to his alma mater, got me to thinking.......

Why don't we (as in blacks) give back more financially to our institutions of higher learning? And I don't think it matters if the person was in a GLO or not either, the fact is that the number of alums that give back are so small.

IYOO, why do you think that is?

[rho4life]

Since I still live close by, I volunteer to talk to students who are interested in my career. And I spend a day each year interviewing students for a scholarship that I received when I was in school. Money's tight, so I give time instead.


ETA: I think a lot of AF-AM's don't give as much to their alma matters b/c they're either givin gmore money to support their org, or they're giving money to the less fortunate members of their family. By the time you've given $40 to 5 people in the family, it's harder to write a check to a univeristy.

[NUPE4LIFE]

I work for the FSU Foundation so I believe that one MUST give back to their alma mater. I know a lot of people say that they can't afford to give. You guys don't understand though how even $25 can make a difference. If enough people give $25 collectively that can help provide things like scholarships which are desperately needed at every institution.

Being in the same city as FAMU I've come across a lot of students and alumni who say that due to the school's current situation they will not give back to FAMU. I always tell them how that is the wrong attitude to take. There are two types of gifts, RESTRICTED and UNRESTRICTED . Most universitites prefer unrestricted gifts because these gifts can be used for whatever the greatest need of the university is. Restricted gifts means that the Donor has given the gift for an expressed purpose and any use of the gift for anything other than that purpose is illegal. If you are in a situation where you are at odds with your university, give a restricted gift. It could be to your department or another academic department that you believe in on campus. That way you know that the money is going directly to that department.

People sometimes ask, 'If I give what do I get?' When you give you help increase the academic excellence of your school and your program of study. That in turn increases the value of your degree. I know at FSU we also are big on Stewarship. Meaning we really go out our way to let our Donors know that we appreciate their generosity (We do that through recognition events). Another part of being good stewards is making sure the Donors know that we are putting their money to good use. We publish an Annual Report each year that shows how the money was used. It also serves as another place to recognize our Donors. We list are Donors' names in the back of the report. I know every Foundation is different but this all tends to be standard but if your university is not doing this demand it.

So I've said all of this to say, PLEASE GIVE BACK TO YOUR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. IF IT'S ONLY $25. IT ALL HELPS.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
The thread in Greek Life about the OSU Alum that donated $165 million dollars to his alma mater, got me to thinking.......

Why don't we (as in blacks) give back more financially to our institutions of higher learning? And I don't think it matters if the person was in a GLO or not either, the fact is that the number of alums that give back are so small.

IYOO, why do you think that is?

I remember vividly right after graduation, many of my classmates had the attitude of %$^% Gram. They had issues with financial aid, etc and they became "mad" with everything associated with the university. They vowed to not return, nor give anything back.

I never had their experiences. However, how can you not support something that has assisted you to get where you are? Your high school diploma surely isn't responsible for your science, liberal arts, engineering backgrounds.

I would like to see what these classmates think about financially backing their institution of higher learning now.

[allsmiles_22]

As someone who is privy to the financial records of not-for profit organizations and individuals, I know that we give back. Those who are financially able do donate whether it's $25 or millions. I have a couple of AA clients who give generously. One in particular donates at least 1 mil each year and I've been doing his tax return for the last 5 years. Just because we don't see it in the media, doesn't mean it's not happening. Also don't believe that someone has $165 mil sitting around to up and donate all at once. The majority of these pledges are done over the course of a period of time because it's more beneficial from a tax perspective.

[ladylike]

I approach giving to my alma mater the same way I approach making contributions to the United Way and that's through monthly EFT (electronic withdrawl from bank account). Like N4L suggested, I make restricted contributions because I'm one of those people whom do NOT have warm fuzzy feelings towards their alma mater. My restricted gifts are made towards the Black Student Union and scholarships for Black students.

If you set it up to give a small amount montly, say $25, over a year's time that comes to $300. It may not seem like a lot but it is something. It would be even more wonderful if you can get friends involved.

[StarFish106]

I went to a HBCU and loved it. I received a scholarship from the local alumni chapter for the whole time i was there. I have just started going back recently because they were very generous to me and we must start giving back to our schools if we want them to survive. I am also a paying life member (wanna be finished by this year) I email at least 10 ppl that live here and are alumni to come to our meetings but no one ever does. I don't get it. Local dues are $ 25 for the year!

If we don't support our HBCU's then how can we expect others to do so? Every little bit helps so to those out there who support with your time, $ or talents Thanks! To those on the fence, c'mon it can be fun! We need you! And to those who say I don't have the $, give your time if there is a local chapter that has programs. We like warm bodies just as well. My local chapter is made up of a lot of older folks (c/o of 50-64's) so they need the young blood. I have already been told that I will be the new secretary by the old secretary (always get that position in every thing i belong to past and present). But go and help, i am sure they won't turn you down (for local alumni chapters).

[Honeykiss1974]

Could the lack of support for our institutions stem from the fact that there while attending as a student, they did not have a good "college experience".

Like AKA2D, I know people that once they graduated, they too had a "%*&# KSU" attitude for whatever reason (ex. university administration, other students, etc.). I wonder how much this really contributes to the lack of alumni financial support.

[Lady of Pearl]

Originally posted by MsAKAdemics
I would not give my alma maters a red cent. If and when they create a better enviroment for people of color and fire several racist professors I will think about it. Unit then ******

I personally did not have very positive experiences....

Maybe, my school was in denial for a LONG time for a Black Alumni Association for my school, now that they have one I may be more inclined to give knowing that they have finally begun to see the light. Some of my experiences were not all that pleasant either but you learn the lesson-you forgive but you don't forget!