Annual Fund ...

<p>One of my kids' colleges has sent a request for a Parent Annual Fund donation. I've never seen this at the college level and am wondering if it's because my other kids have attended big universities. I'm trying to figure out how much I need to send since I really can't afford much. Any idea on how important is it to send something and what's seen as ok? I was thinking $100 but the average donation seems to be in the low 4 figures.</p>

<p>from other annual funds and similar fundraising efforts, one thing mentioned is that they are trying for a large %age of participation over actual $$ amount. Of course they would love it if you could do the 4 figures, but $100 would be fine and much more appreciated than not participating.</p>

<p>I don't think that you should feel obligated to send anything, however, it does help the school's statistics (if that matters) to have even a minimal donation. Are you afraid that there will be repercussions if you don't donate?</p>

<p>lotsofquests, No, I don't think there will be repercussions. I can't possibly compete with the wealthiest at the school. I just wish I could be somewhere closer to the mean! I want to be supportive but I'm a single mom (no child support) with more than 1 in college and we have some pressing needs.</p>

<p>We get these solicitations all the time. If our D wants to donate to her school after she's graduated, that's her decision, but we're paying enough in tuition as it is, thank you very much. You don't need to send anything if you don't want to.</p>

<p>If you have pressing needs, this probably isn't the right time to be donating to the college. My view is that as a parent, if you have disposable income to spare, you're pleased with what the school is doing for your child, and you want to donate, go ahead. But don't feel obligated; your child will have the opportunity (and be reminded of that opportunity countless times) to donate to the school once he/she graduates.</p>

<p>Every year I say 'We should give a small bit to each school's fund' meaning parents and kids HSs and colleges; then we get hit with $2,000 car repairs, failed heating systems, dead appliances and the like.
Maybe next year.....</p>

<p>As someone who has sat on the Annual Fund committee at my children's school for the past four years, I can tell you that while the current economy affects giving at all levels, giving any amount and thus participating is what the schools are truly looking for, or should be. It is participation rates that allow the schools to tell other funding sources (large corps etc) that the school is widely supported. Last year we had over 90% of our teachers donate to our annual fund. That our teachers feel equally vested in our school speaks volumes for the support our school receives. If your Daughter's school had high participation rates of parents whose children attend the school, that shows a high degree of confidence in the school, despite these tough economic times.</p>

<p>Seriously, they will have an entirely different group on the committee hitting people up for 4 and 5 digit donations. They are mostly looking for participation and while it won't affect your kids education if you don't give, on the other hand, that these numbers are used in grant writing and various rating systems, maybe it could.</p>

<p>2collegewego,
Our oldest graduated from college in '07, and we were always asked for annual donations while he was a student. We gave "to participate," but never more than $100. I received a call asking us to donate after he graduated, and I politely explained that our son, the graduate, would now be the one donating to his alma mater, if he felt so inclined. That was the last call I got. (H and I donate a nominal amount annually to our alma maters.)
I agree with the others that they are seeking participation. Give only what you can honestly afford.</p>

<p>We always got requests from our children's LACs and we always got very gracious thank-yous for our small ($25 to $50) donations. My large alma mater also has an annual fund to which I have given every year for decades, also in a small amount--and again, I always grt a gracious thanks. If everyone gave a little it would make a difference--it would be nice to be a big giver, but just giving something does help.</p>

<p>My D's college sends out requests for donations to a "Parents' Fund." We give $50 a year. We get a nice thank you note. 4 figures? Maybe if we were rich! Would we get a higher quality thank you note? I doubt it.</p>

<p>I'm with Modadunn--a consistent little bit can be very helpful to an organization.</p>

<p>
[quote]
If everyone gave a little it would make a difference--it would be nice to be a big giver, but just giving something does help.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is exactly the hope and goal of our Annual Fund committee. You'd truly be amazed. Then again, I believe Obama's campaign pretty much proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt. :) </p>

<p>As for the thank you.. I think people forget how much that personal touch is appreciated. We try to teach our kids to do it, but when they say "it doesn't matter like that anymore" or "You're old fashioned" and "Why can't I just write an email?" it is SO nice to point to others' notes and recognize how good it feels to receive them. And the real truth, people may not say much if you don't show graciousness but they surely have a much higher opinion of you if you do. And in my son's case, he is not a kiss-up and so while polite, he's not about false praise, fake smiles or telling people what they want to hear - whatever kiss-ups do. Therefore, I think a sincere note from him speaks HUGELY to his true character. Maybe not, but that's my story and I'm sticking with it. :)</p>

<p>Don't know where this little tangent come from, but there you have it.</p>

<p>2collegewego, if $100.00 is what you can afford send it. Believe me you not going to be the only one.
Like Modadunn mentioned, schools like to see a high % of participation.
I give to my kids schools (HS, Middle school and colleges). However, once they graduate, they should be the ones donating.</p>

<p>I gotta say, I'm in agreement with Booklady. It's not a matter of whether or not we can afford a donation; it's more that we're stroking two ginormous checks to the school each year as it is.</p>

<p>My kids are both at the same private U--they are happy there & getting a good education but we don't donate at all to the annual drive because we feel we are doing our share by paying our tuition & other expenses without any FAid. Perhaps when we no longer have to pay for their education, we may rethink it.</p>

<p>Modadunn can probably say it better than me and I am not trying to convince anyone, just putting some info out there that some might not be aware.</p>

<p>The school budget expects some to come from the annual fund not not to have it all covered by tuition. So for example if the "cost of educating one student" is X the tuition might be X-Y and expect the Y to be made up through other channels. </p>

<p>The annual fund participation rate is what foundations and other corporate and charitable organizations look at when they see how well supported by its own community the school is in determining the level they wish to provide.</p>

<p>Annual fund contributions are tax deductible.</p>

<p>That all said, we do not give anywhere close to the "suggested" amounts.</p>

<p>I was never solicited by an annual fund from my college, I am speaking for the private high school my kids attend and other non profit organizations I am involved with.</p>

<p>I thought that giving something smaller than the "suggested" amounts would be considered tacky. Hmmm, may be I should reconsider. I did send some money for a specific activity fundraiser.</p>

<p>I sent $25, which is the minimum for the company matching donation where H works. I figured it would help their participation numbers. There was no suggested number.</p>

<p>my son's school has a fund where you can specify what you want your money to be used for. Who knows if they do what I ask. I make a very modest donation and request it be used towards books for a student on a Pell Grant who is studying math.</p>