Why should I give to the Sewanee Annual Fund?
Tuition, fees, and endowment income don't cover the total cost of a what it takes to provide the Sewanee experience each year.
Alumni, parents, and friends contribute to the Sewanee Annual Fund each year and help meet the University's ongoing need for flexible, unrestricted income to support our academic missions.
Last year alone, our Sewanee Annual Fund donors provided over $3.3 million in vital support that helped the University:
- Attract and maintain world-class faculty in each department
- Continue its commitment to need-based financial aid. The average grant to students was approximately $12,000, and the total award was around $12 million. Only about $4.5 million of the total financial aid was covered by endowment. The rest came from the operating fund.
- Renew subscriptions to scholarly journals and keep our library up-to-date with the information our students need to support their educational experience
- Purchase needed materials and technologies used by our faculty members
- Provide support for every facet of the student experience
Simply put, as a Sewanee Annual Fund participant, you help Sewanee continue to grow as an incomparable place of higher learning.
Can I designate my gift?
The Sewanee Annual Fund is the unrestricted annual fund that helps pay for annual expenses. You can designate your gift within the Sewanee Annual Fund to many different broad areas of support: student activities, emergency services, scholarships/financial aid, athletics, faculty salaries, and duPont Library.
It seems like I get asked for a gift more than once a year. Is that true?
Sewanee's fiscal year runs from July 1 - June 30. Since the Sewanee Annual Fund is an annual fund, we would like you to make a gift each year. Once you make a gift, we will not continue to call, write, or email you to request a gift until the next fiscal year.
You may also set up a sustaining pledge, and we will only send you reminders each year until you tell us otherwise.
Can I make a gift in honor or in memory of someone?
Yes! You can make a Sewanee Annual Fund gift in honor or in memory of anyone you like. The person or family of the person honored/memorialized will receive notification that your gift (excluding the amount) was made. In the annual donor recognition report, your kind gesture will also be listed.
I work for a matching gift company. Can you request the paperwork for me?
Thanks for designating your company's matching gifts to Sewanee. If you or your spouse work for a matching gift company, and you direct it to Sewanee along with your gift, you will be given credit for the total amount. We would be happy to request the paperwork if we could, but unfortunately you must request the paperwork from your company's human resources department. We then complete our portion and return it to your company.
I can't afford to make a gift this year. My gift wouldn't make a difference anyway, would it?
Every tax-deductible gift makes a difference to the school. It also sends a powerful message that you believe in this institution and its educational program, and it has made a difference in your life. Gifts of all sizes make an impact. Some foundations and other grant-making organizations look at giving percentages rather than total amounts when determining grant requests. Your gift, viewed as a vote of confidence, could help Sewanee secure thousands of dollars in funding.
What is our goal for Fiscal Year 2008?
The Sewanee Annual Fund goal is to raise $3.45 million by June 30, 2008. In order to meet this ambitious goal, Sewanee depends on continuing annual support from alumni, parents and friends.
Does my Sewanee Annual Fund gift count toward my reunion?
Absolutely. In your reunion year, your Sewanee Annual Fund gift IS your Reunion Class Gift (except for the 50th reunion). Every five years during a reunion celebration, we hope that you will make that meaningful "stretch" gift to show how much your Sewanee experience meant to you.
