<p>@ Burb Parent: I asked them about this myself when I called in my donation -- and I can add in my two cents as one of those who is counted as part of the delta from 16 to 47.</p>
<p>For me, there are several factors. First on the list is "PEER PRESSURE." That sounds like a pejorative, but when you get right down to it, I started giving because my friends were doing it. Better still -- my friends were calling me (not leaving messages, but making real contact) to ask me to join in. And, as part of that, when the annual report came out, there was a comment written by hand from one of the development office leaders noting how my class compared (e.g., "Thanks for helping your class have the biggest increase this past year," or "Your class has really made a difference overall!"). I think everyone gets a comment, even if it's only to give a pat on the back to your class. (We all look to that page, right?) They also have started designating which classmates have been giving 5 years in a row. I get calls from student-run phone banks asking for pledges from other schools. I used to be a student-caller myself (free pizza!) at Delbarton. But I don't even think they do that. In my case, I get called by George who's taking time out from his $600/hr. job on Wall St. and by Bill who thinks calling me about supporting our school today is a good way to spend a "take 5!" from the set of his next Oscar-winning production. You practically have to be a sociopath to decline to send in even $10. And if you are a sociopath, you'll still send it in just to keep people from realizing that you are one.</p>
<p>Second, there's "CONNECTING THE DOTS." They make sure that we know all that's going on. Delbarton's reputation has improved dramatically since I went there. It wasn't for slouches, but compared to other prep schools it had a more "blue collar" flavor and the matriculation list was not nearly as impressive as it is now. They've really made an effort to let you know (or make you think) about the ways that the things that are happening at Delbarton today ("Delbarton Today" is the alumni newsletter) have a direct and tangible impact on alums. Each time I'm at an event or meeting and someone I'm speaking with so much as recognizes the school's name, I'm getting a benefit from the things that have happened since I graduated. It wasn't that long ago that I had to answer the question, "What's a Delbarton?" -- even in northern NJ -- when I mentioned the school. But I don't think this tactic works only for schools that have recently had dramatic improvements. If people recognize your school -- and it's Exeter or Andover -- you're benefiting from people who are sustaining the positive association people make with your school. When people here, on this board, recognized the name of the school I attended...it was honestly a surprise to me. Then, when people here wrote favorable things about it, I decided I needed to dig deeper this year. They've made sure that we connect those dots and understand that that warm fuzzy feeling inside costs the school money to deliver.</p>
<p>Third, there's "SMALL COMMUNITY BUILDING." They cite the regional meetings they hold and other events that bring together small groups of alums on a geographic basis. I'm forever getting postcards asking me to RSVP for various get-togethers and cookouts all over the place. And by "place" I mean "nation." I haven't been to one since I was in Washington, DC but they still send them because travel plans might make it possible. And it's just a reminder that you're still connected and still valued. This had no impact for me, but they rank it very high on the list for improved giving. I suspect that the less far-flung and not-so-isolated alums connect in two ways: temporally (by graduating class) and spatially (by communities based on where they live and/or work). Maybe, in addition to a classmate calling to ask to donate, the guy you met at an after-work event who works in your office building might call to ask you to donate as well. (I'm just guessing about that very last part.)</p>
<p>Fourth, as a parent, I see more and more the importance of leaving something good lying around (educationally-speaking) for someone to walk into. I've mostly been the beneficiary of such largesse. My immigrant grandmother always told us that she would never vote down a school board request for more taxes because when she arrived the schools were all built and waiting for her family and, since she couldn't possibly pay back what she was given, it was her responsibility to make sure those things were in place for the people who come afterwards. My son is receiving FA and I'm very much indebted to the benefactors of his school who made it possible for him to attend. It's not a loan, and maybe it's counterintuitive to think of donating to a school that's giving you financial support (or donating, even modestly, to another school), but I hope to be able to repay it by supporting that school. So, for me, I guess I'm just at a point where I'm very conscious of the concept of "paying it forward" when it comes to education and I had reached that point where instead of being a recipient of other people "paying it forward," I was able to do the paying. And now, with BS, I'm also back in the recipient category...making the concept more confusing, if not more profound and urgent.</p>