Annual Giving - Why it is So Important

Annual Giving provides critical support for the needs of the College and those of current and future students. Our participation in this shared effort provides a powerful affirmation of the value of a Wellesley education. Corporations, Foundations and Major Donors consider the percentage of alumnae contributions as a measure of alumnae commitment in their own funding program decisions. In Reunion Year especially, Annual Giving and Special Giving depend on your renewed generosity to enrich and broaden the Wellesley community. All of our gifts at every level make it possible to sustain:
  • Core academic needs, libraries, labs, studios, and classroom technology
  • An endowment of $1.6B (June 2007) that would need to grow by $220M to generate the income AG provides (circa $11M for FY09)
  • Tuition covers only 38% of the cost of educating a Wellesley student. The remaining 62% comes from sources such as the endowment and Annual Giving gifts.
  • The beauty, utility, and integrity of the campus-500 acres encompassing 21 residence halls, 8 kitchens with little or no deferred maintenance
  • Facilities from current campus centers for learning, sports, recreation and more… Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center and Alumnae Valley, Multifaith Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, Whitin Observatory, Wellesley Center for Women, Wellesley College Botanic Gardens…
  • Competitive faculty recruitment and retention, given the cost of living within a reasonable commute to the campus, and a faculty/student ratio of 9:1
  • Learning inside and outside the classroom from the residential community that is integral to the Wellesley experience and guided by a principle of living and working with people different from yourself as well as further opportunities for internships and international learning
  • When we build on the strong foundation and tradition of Alumnae giving, we can help to ensure that a young woman of tomorrow need not forfeit Wellesley if it is her choice. We receive many and varied gifts from Wellesley while students and throughout our lives. We can make Wellesley a priority in our personal philanthropy in honor of our 35th Reunion so that every Wellesley student will enjoy equal access to excellence.



Last updated:
December 2, 2008