HOW to ask your classmates to contribute to the Alumni Fund

Tips and timing for asking for a gift and saying "thanks" - email, phone, in person, text, or social media.

Class emails:

1. Sample one - Every gift of every amount goes towards sustaining excellence

2. Sample two - Legacy and traditions of the AF

3. Sample three - The transition from a student to alumnus

Class letters:

1. Sample one - Impact of Williams on the world

2. Sample two - Why I participate

3. Sample three - Building relationships and community through the AF

4. Sample four - Supporting Williams' core mission

5. Sample five - AF filling the gap between actual costs and tuition

Designated giving:

1. Sample paragraphs for class communications

2. Sample letter one - Tutorials: The importance of small classes

3. Sample letter two - Reminiscing about our time at Williams

Class emails:

Sample one

Dear [sal]:

Last year our giving totaled $xxxx at a whopping xx% participation rate. On behalf of the College, we thank you for this generous support. The Alumni Fund overall represents more than 7% of the College's operating budget. Our dollars go to critical initiatives including enriched student life, faculty support, and financial aid. This year we have set the bar just as high, targeting $xxxx and xx% participation. For some, it may be that a gift of $10, or perhaps a gift of $10 a month is right for you. For others, we hope you'll consider making a leadership gift of $xx or more. Every gift of every amount goes towards sustaining Williams' unparalleled excellence.

If you are a regular Alumni Fund donor, we sincerely thank you for your support and ask you to please consider renewing your commitment at an increased level. If you are an occasional Alumni Fund donor, we ask you to commit to giving every year during the course of the campaign. An annual commitment from you, of any amount, matters greatly and will be sincerely appreciated. If you’ve never given to the Alumni Fund, there’s never been a better time than now for your first gift!

Thanks for your continued support, and we look forward to a strong year.

Best,

'06 Head Agents

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Sample two

Dear [sal],

You may have heard that Williams has earned some more awards in the last few months: #1 in the US News & World Report for Liberal Arts Colleges, #1 on Forbes’ Best Colleges List and it is apparently the best place to find a husband. It also boasts the oldest (and best!) alumni society in the country, one which has literally saved the school (1821 anyone?) and has stood behind the College in solidarity ever since.

The success Williams enjoys today would not have been possible without the cumulative vision and passionate support of Ephs past and present. As members of the alumni network with the richest tradition in the world, bar none, we are being asked to step up to the challenge of the legacy of our stewardship. We feel fortunate to be a part of this community, and it is up to us to help keep that going. Of course, one of the ways to do that is through a contribution to the Alumni Fund - just another shining example of Williams' superlative nature. Year after year, Williams ranks among the top institutions in terms of alumni participation (2010: 61% participation led to a national rank of #1 - US News & World Report). To make a gift now, [giving link].

Gifts like ours support a number of critical initiatives, including enriched student life, faculty support and financial aid. Our contributions to the College, financial and otherwise, show our school spirit and commitment (purple all the way!), helping to keep Williams the place we remember so fondly.

Last year, our class enjoyed a great deal of success: we raised $xxxx and exceeded our original goal by xx%. Additionally, a full xx% of the class contributed to the Fund! While we are proud of both accomplishments, we have decided to step up even more this year and thus, are targeting a xx% participation rate and $xxxx.

If you are a regular Alumni Fund donor, I sincerely thank you for your support and ask you to please consider renewing your commitment at an increased level. If you are an occasional Alumni Fund donor, I ask you to commit to giving every year during the course of the campaign.

An annual commitment from you, of any amount, matters greatly and will be sincerely appreciated. If you’ve never given to the Alumni Fund, there’s never been a better time than now for your first gift!

Thank you,

'09 Head Agents

[giving link]

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Sample three

Dear [sal],

It might seem hard to believe that we are approximately 1 Winter Study and 1 Spring semester away from what will be mark our 4-year anniversary from Williams graduation.

Remember the feeling of being 1 year out of Williams? – newly minted a ‘Williams Alumnus’ – as though the title suggested a substantially wiser, more mature version of our old college selves. But let’s face it, while we may have taken on the ‘Alumnus’ title – we were still ‘First Years’ in the big, bad real world, only this time without the warm comfort of the entry system, JA’s, Sunday snack time and a 21 meals-a-week plan…did anyone actually make it to 21 meals every week!?

But the 4th year anniversary mark from graduation? That’s a different feeling. It will mean, for most of us, that we will have been in the ‘real world’ for as long as we were in College. And just like that natural, yet somewhat awkward progression from Williams ‘First Year’ to Williams ‘Senior’ – surely a transformation of similar form has taken place for each and every one of us these past 4 years.

When we ask for donations to the Alumni Fund, we like to keep in mind these milestones and think back to these checkpoints along the way. How far we’ve come, how much we’ve changed. Now is our turn to give this same opportunity to the next generation of aspiring Williams students.

The one thing that our class undoubtedly has in common is the ‘Williams Factor’. It has most definitely played an important part in guiding our professional lives, graduate degree programs or travel to different corners of the world. Probably also responsible for an upcoming wedding, social event or mini-reunion of sorts. Or, maybe it was Williams that showed us what it is that we don’t like, and hopefully this has guided us towards discovering what it is that we love.

Our goal for this year’s Alumni Fund is to get more of our class involved. Even the smallest contribution…$1 here, $5 there…will help our class achieve this goal. Every contribution, no matter the size, will have an impact in supporting this future generation of Williams students. To make a gift now please go to [giving link].

'08 Head Agents

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Class letters:

Sample one 

Dear [sal],

A core Williams value is making a Williams education accessible for all outstanding students, regardless of their financial circumstances. Student financial aid is the one budget area that has grown in the past couple of years, and it has been able to do so with Alumni Fund support.

Williams graduates do an incredible variety of impactful things all over the world. They use their education to lead nonprofits, to educate, and to further science medicine and the arts. The academic experiences that shape our alumni and prepare them to be leaders in their fields would not be possible without the support of Williams alumni who came before them. Today nearly 8% of the annual budget comes from the Alumni Fund, which supports such key areas as financial aid, faculty salaries, and student life. With endowment dollars largely restricted, Alumni Fund dollars provide immediate support in their areas.

Please join us and fellow alumni in a more than 200-year-old tradition of supporting the next generation of Ephs. Alumni Fund gifts of any size make a valuable and immediate difference.

Please use the online giving link, http://give2.williams.edu, or speak with your class agent when he or she calls. Thank you so much for your support of Williams!

Warm regards,

'92 Head Agents

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Sample two 

Dear [sal],

It's not uncommon that Williams alumni question whether the college really "needs my money". and whether other charities might be "more worthy". I think the answer is complicated.

No, Williams is neither on the brink of bankruptcy nor wondering how it's going to pay the electric bill. It's fortunate enough to enjoy a substantial endowment - thanks mostly to the generosity of its alumni. (Although it's worth noting that roughly 85% of the endowment is restricted.) And Williams also benefits from excellent resource management and has been able to responsibly limit its spending during the difficult years. Should Williams be your only charity? No. Is it worthy of strong support? I think so. Here's why:

Our classmates give to Williams in overwhelming numbers because they value the formative years they spent there and the way Williams put them on rewarding personal and career paths. They give to Williams because of their support of excellence. Our tiny school in the Middle of Nowehere, Massachusetts consistently ranks at the very top among colleges and universities in the entire world. I don't know about you, but I'm not associated with very many endeavors that achieve and maintain that type of performance. And, finally, they give to Williams because of the substantial "multiplier effect" of the college on the lives of its students.

Every year I try to attend the Bicentennial Medal ceremonies. The Bicentennail Medals are given to distinguished alumni every year at Convocation in the presence of that year's graduating seniors. It's a unique chance to model the behavior that Williams seeks to encourage and the accomplishments it values. Who are the recipients? Not captains of industry or generous donors to the school. By and large, the Bicentennial Medals are given to alumni who have used their Williams education to educate the underserved, preserve the planet, cure disease, and stretch the frontiers of knowledge in science, medicine and the arts.

So these are the values you are supporting by giving to Williams - excellence, humility, service. It "pops" for me, and I hope it does for you too.

Class of '87 Head Agent

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Sample three 

Dear [sal],

You are Williams College. Yes, there are old buildings and professors and playing fields, Spring Street, and funny cow logos on hats. But what makes Williams endure is the commitment of its alumni. What makes it endure is you. (The Class of xxxx represents about 2% of alumni, which is pretty big considering the school has been in operation for more than 200 years!) Last year xxx of us gave over $x in support of Williams. That level of support is truly astounding. But we think we can do better. We know we can do better.

What does better mean? It means two things. First, it means asking more us of to make a contribution in support of the college. Williams is need-blind with more than half the students receiving some level of financial aid. And the college limits loans such that graduates leave with no more that $16,000 in student loans. That level of debt allows new alums to be what they want to be rather than choosing jobs for money. And we mean what we say: no donation is too big or too small. What you give matters both for its own sake and for the message of connection it sends.

Second, better means hearing from each and every one of you. You've no idea the astounding series of accomplishments we're treated to hearing about during the four months we ask for gifts to the Alumni Fund. We are truly, truly humbled by what you've done with your lives and the impacts you've made. So connect with us. Make a gift. Honor friendships started more than 25 years ago. Share your stories.

We'll be working with the entire class agent team to accomplish our ambitious goals. Our dedicated agents will be in contact with you over the next couple of months not only to encourage a donation but also to catch up and find out what you're up to. We look forward to hearing about what you've been doing. And remember, You Are Williams.

Best wishes,

'90 Head Agents

P.S. As always, donating to Williams is quick and easy. Log on to http://give2.williams.edu, or call 413 597 4153 to give with your credit card. Alternatively, a check written out to "Williams College Alumni Fund" and mailed to 75 Park St., Williamstown, MA 01267 works too.

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Sample four 

Dear [sal],

As you all know, Williams continued success is made possible by the unwavering support of alumni like us. Despite the difficult economic climate the Class of xxxx raised over $x to support the mission of the college. Over x% of our classmates - x people - participated! Thank you again for your generousity and commitment.

We are now launching the Alumni Fund campaign for 2012-2013. The dollars raised by this campaign are essential for ensuring that Williams continues to live its core values, described by President Falk as "educational excellence and access to the college for people from all walks of life". Alumni Fund contributions directly and immediately support inspired teaching, scholarly research, extracurricular and community service opportunities and financial aid.

Please show your support of Williams by contributing this year. We hope you will maintain or increase your previous giving levels but please know that we value your participation in any amount. With so many opportunities to give to worthy causes, we appreciate your willingness to include Williams among those that you support.

We look forward to speaking with many of you over the coming months and wish you all the best.

'98 Head Agents

P.S. As always, donating to Williams is quick and easy. Log on to http://give2.williams.edu, or call 413 597 4153 to give with your credit card. Alternatively, a check written out to "Williams College Alumni Fund" and mailed to 75 Park St., Williamstown, MA 01267 works too.

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Sample five 

Dear [sal],

For those of us staring down the barrel on turning forty (and those of us who have already made the leap), it's hard to imagine that we are almost 20 years removed from our time at Williams. Yet, the memories of our years spent in Williamstown are fresh enough that we can - if we're lucky enough to sneak a few minutes away from our busy careers, families other assorted obligations and responsibilities - relive them like it was yesterday. One benefit of getting closer to being full-fledged grown-ups is that we take even more pride when Williams receives national recognition for its academics, faculty, athletics, arts and alumni.

Many of you have been giving to Williams annually since you graduated. For the rest of you, now is the time to dive in. The annual cost of tuition, room and board is now $54,560, and more than half of the student body receives financial aid of one form or another that enables them to attend a college that has been rated number one in U.S. News and World Report for 10 years running. The Alumni Fund plays a critical role in making a Williams education accessible to all, by supporting the college's core programs (students, faculty, financial aid, and academic and residential facilities) and making up the difference between the actual cost of educating a student (which is just shy of $100,000) and what that student pays in tuition, room and board.

Despite the economic downturn, our numbers as a class last year were tremendous. We raised an impressive $x, our highest gift ever, with over x% of the class participating. Our goal this year is even more ambitious - $x and x% participation. Please join us in giving back to the college to ensure that others who may not be able to otherwise afford a Williams education have the opportunity to learn what we already know: Williams is a unique and special place.

As in years past, we encourage you to go to http://give2.williams.edu to make a gift to the Alumni Fund or call 413 597 4153 to make a gift over the phone by credit card. For those of you who tend to procrastinate, we'll be reaching out to you in the coming months. That said, feel free to reach out to either of us with questions, comments or concerns.

Best wishes,

'94 Head Agents

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Designated giving:

Sample 1:

As it always has, the Alumni Fund supports the highest priorities of Williams. This year, though, when you make your annual Alumni Fund gift you can designate the area of the college that is most important to you. If for instance, a professor greatly influenced your time at Williams, you can now direct your gift to the classroom and support Williams' outstanding faculty and all that they do to make Williams a rich and vibrant learning environment for our talented students through a gift to Great Professors, Great Teaching. Or you can designate to one of four other areas: Williams Highest Priorities, Financial Aid, Student Life and the Arts, Great Professors - Great Teaching, and Excellence in Athletics (and within Athletics you can support specific varsity teams). Gift designation is entirely optional, and undesignated gifts will support Williams' highest priorities, as they have in the past. To learn more about what each of these designations supports, go to http://giving.williams.edu/alumnifund/designated-giving/.

Sample 2:

I have some very exciting developments to share about this year's Fund. The college has finally implemented the ability for alumni to designate where their gift goes. They are starting with 5 broad categories: 1) Highest Priorities (this is the default; these are unrestricted dollars); 2) Financial Aid; 3) Great Professors, Great Teaching (anything that happens in the classroom); 4) Student Life and the Arts (anything that happens outside the classroom) and finally 5) Excellence in Athletics. In addition, alumni can now give to varsity sports teams, and these gifts will be counted toward the Alumni Fund. To learn more about what each of these designations supports, go to http://giving.williams.edu/alumnifund/designated-giving/. This is huge news and I'm very excited about it!

I think these new giving opportunities are a win for current student, for you, and for Williams. Now, for example, you can choose to direct your gift to financial aid and directly help talented student who would not be able to attend Williams without generous support from alumni like you. Please take advantage of this and make a gift to the Alumni Fund to show support for the area of the collge that is most important to you.

Sample 3:

Thank you for your support of Williams' highest priorities through your previous gifts to the Alumni Fund! New this year, when you make your gift to the Alumni Fund, you can designate your gift to the area of the college that is most important to you: Williams' Highest Priorities, Financial Aid, Student Life and the Arts, Great Professors - Great Teaching, and Excellence in Athletics. Within Athletics you can further direct your gift to a specific varsity team if you wish. Gift designation is entirely optional, and undesignated gifts will support Williams' highest priorities, as they have in the past. To learn more about what each of these designations supports, go to http://giving.williams.edu/alumnifund/designated-giving/.

As the sticker price of a college education continues to rise, Williams remains committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all accepted students, and to make admissions decisions based on each applicant's promise and potential, not on his or her family's net worth. It's the generosity of Williams alumni like you that make this support possible, as over 50% of today's Ephs receive financial aid. Please consider making a gift to the Alumni Fund and designating it towards financial aid. Make your gift now at http://give2.williams.edu.

Sample 4

Every year gifts from alumni help fund key priorities at Williams and pursuit of academic and athletics excellence. I am happy to share that you can now direct your Alumni Fund gift to an area of the college that matters most to you. While the Alumni Fund still supports the highest priorities of Williams as it always has, now when you make your annual Alumni Fund gift you can designate it to one of five purposes: Williams' Highest Priorities, Financial Aid, Student Life and the Arts, Great Professors - Great Teaching, and Excellence in Athletics ( and within Athletics, you support specific varsity teams). As they have in the past, undesignated gifts will be received as unrestricted support towards Williams' highest priorities. To learn more about what each of these designations supports, go to http://giving.williams.edu/alumnifund/designated-giving/.

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Sample letter one 

Dear Classmate,

October has arrived. The days grow short, the leaves start to turn, the Supreme Court starts hearing cases, and the Alumni Fund starts a new year. Our gifts to Williams are crucial to allowing the college to provide today's students the same sort of quality education we received. The data on class size in the latest US News & World Report rankings really struck me: 70.8% of the classes have fewer than 20 students; 25.6% have between 20 and 49 students, and a mere 3.6% have 50 or more students. I can tell you from my experience teaching at Rutgers that when there are more than 20 or so students in a room, they become unwilling to have any sort of a discussion; only a few will ask questions. Through our gifts we're enabling the college to continue to provide an environment that fosters academic dialog and the free exchange of ideas. The tutorial program drives us (almost) back to Mark Hopkins and the log. It's hard to think of anything more important in a college education.

You'll notice a significant change in how the Fund is operating this year. As you can see from the enclosed insert, you can now indicate how you'd like your gift to be used. While unrestricted gifts are still the college's preference, you can ask that your gift be channeled to support financial aid, professors and teaching, student life and the arts, or athletics. And as always, you can make your gift in honor or memory of a teacher, classmate, or someone else who you feel has made a significant impact.

I've kept our targets in place from last year: $x ,with x% participation. We passed the dollar target and came within 4 or 5 classmates of the participation goal. I'm hoping that with your support, this year we'll be able to achieve both of our goals. Our class has traditionally given Williams strong support; I expect us to continue this year.

Thanks in advance for your support. I wish all of you the best for the remainder of the year.

Sincerely,

'71 Head Agent

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Sample letter two 

Dear [name],

As we embark on another season in the cycle of the Alumni Fund, it is my pleasure to join [head agents] in helping our class show our support for Williams as it continues to provide an unparalleled experience for young men and women. What I find particularly daunting is that our 35th reunion is just aroung the corner. It doesn't seem like 35+ years have gone by since we engaged in dynamic discussions in Griffin Hall, acted on the stage in the theatre, ran around the playing fields at Cole or Weston, played in the Berkshire Symphony, visited the Donut Man in the wee hours of the morning, danced in the basement of Armstrong, or enjoyed Guest Meals in Baxter, to name only a few. We have grown since then as has Williams and as the college changes to meet the needs of its students, it relies on our loyalty and support to provide the best in liberal arts education.

First, MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR JUNE 6th-9th, 2013, for our 35th reunion. Bill Kister and his group have already begun the planning and it should be a blast! It always astonishes me how quickly we bridge the years between these gatherings and often find ourselves acting as if we were 20 again! The college is also putting together a wonderful weekend full of activities, speakers and parades, so be sure not to miss it.

Second, CONSIDER YOUR GIFT TO THE ALUMNI FUND. Last year over 70% of us made a contribution to the Alumni Fund and in this our Reunion year, we hope to see the same heartfelt outpouring of generosity from every one of you. We also ask you to think about how you might raise the level of your contribution in celebration of our Reunion.

Hot-Off-the-Presses: Your options for giving to the Alumni back to top

Remember to say please...AND thank you!
Here are some resources to help you thank and steward donors.