<p>Coincidentally, my husband was speaking to a colleague yesterday who is a volunteer fundraiser for his alma mater. He said that "you never get MORE than what you ask for" so he always starts out with a high number. Which makes sense, when you think about it.</p>
<p>When our kids were little, we always gave token amounts to colleges attended (a total of three) - never were in a position to give significant money, but wanted to be on record as supporting them, and knowing that participation figures can matter (as Jamimom points out, sometimes for other grants) for rankings. It always felts like a way of saying we appreciated what we got there. Now that one child is in college, we give that school $20 a year. It's almost laughable, but again it's a small thank you, probably just covers the cost of soliciting the donation. I would only do this while son is at that school - once he graduates, whether he contributes is up to him. Once he graduates, we are no longer parents at that school, but we'll always be alums of our own (different) schools. Just for the record - our measly annual donations (probably stretching back 15 years) did not get son into ivy league school as a legacy. At our public school, there are opportunities to give donations to specific departments or programs, and I like the idea of contributing to the things my kids have participated in and derived pleasure from. All of it small potatoes, though, I see it more as a show of support and a thank you.</p>
<p>Songman-
You tell these people who are looking fo money that you have a maid and/or butler??!!? I'd guess they'd automatically "up" the amount of the donation they ask for from you!! Geez-- if you can afford a BUTLER...!!!</p>
<p>As an aside, we were at a presentation of the upcoming builiding plans (aka fundraiser) for a school my older s attended at the time. They handed out beautiful PR packets with architectural drawings and such.. Well, they accidentally gave me the packet with the list inside of all the current parents and their estimate of how much they should ask each to donate. That was VERY entertaining reading! After my eyes bugged out of my head, I didn't know if I should feel relieved or insulted by the amount they planned to hit us up for. Now mind you, it was no small chunk of change, but there were plenty MUCH higher. I guess you have to bee a pretty strong person to ask for that kind of $$ with a straight face. The person having the toughest time keeping a straight face was the person who had to politely ask me for my packet back :o</p>
<p>That must have been fun to watch, jym!</p>
<p>We have donated a modest amount to our daughter's college since she's been enrolled even though we feel it- we are one of those who take out loans ourselves to pay the full tuition. Because this donation goes directly into her own residential college's fund and is used for recreation, speakers, events, trips etc., my daughter will have the benefit of these funds during her time there. I think it adds to the quality of life for the students of her residential college, so I'm happy to do it.</p>