Washington and Lee University
Thank you to the many alumni, parents and friends of the University who made the 2006-07 Annual Fund a spectacular success! 2006-07 marks the first year in W&L's history that the total amount raised by the Annual Fund exceeded $6 million. Both alumni and parents set new records for giving to the Annual Fund.
"This year's success comes just two years after we surpassed $5 million for the first time," said Cassie Ritter Hunt '01, Director of the Annual Fund. "Much of the credit goes to time spent furthering the W&L cause by our Chairman Bill Wallace '74 '77L, Law Chairman Rob Aliff '91 '97L, Parents Leadership Council chairs Paul and Carol Garcia, and our dedicated Class Agents and other volunteers."
Hunt went on to note that contributions at the Fund's highest giving levels increased dramatically this year. "Membership in the Honor Circle gift club ($25,000 and up) increased by 55%," she said. "This growth will allow us to create a new giving society for the 2007-08 year for gifts of $50,000 and up to honor the donors giving at that level now." Membership in the Generals' Council ($10,000-$24,999) and the Five Star Council ($5,000-$9,999) grew 23% and 26% respectively.
W&L's newest alumni also made an impact on the Annual Fund, with 72% of the 2007 graduates making contributions. In total, 9,780 alumni participated in the Annual Fund at some level this year, the most ever for Washington and Lee. Gifts of any size count towards W&L's participation rate, and the University will aim to have an even larger percentage of alumni contribute to the 2007-08 Annual Fund.
In all, 10,882 donors made gifts to the Annual Fund in 2006-07, contributing $6,174,084. This exceeds the fund's goal of $5.6 million. The generous support also represents a 16% increase from 2005-06. Alumni contributed an unprecedented $5,224,040, with parents of current and past students adding $903,662. 755 donors made their first gift this year.
Support from the Annual Fund directly impacts every aspect of the educational experience at W&L, from tuition and lab equipment to faculty salaries and athletic gear. The Annual Fund is a critically important part of the University's budget. If W&L did not have a strong Annual Fund, then in order to support numerous needs for students, faculty, programs, and the historic campus, the University this year would need more than $114 million in additional unrestricted endowment to replace the $6.1 million in unrestricted gifts from alumni, parents and friends.