Washington and Lee University
Where can we get general information about the University?
Where can we get general information about the University?
Comprehensive general information about the University can be found in the “About W&L” section of this website, located at http://designtime.wlu.edu/adminsite/xml/x8.xml. Information about University finances is posted by the Office of the Treasurer at http://treasurer.wlu.edu/ and various University policies are described on the webpage of the Office of General Counsel at http://counsel.wlu.edu/. If you wish to speak with representatives of specific programs or departments, or would like to request written materials and brochures, please call the main CFR office at 540-458-8977. It will be our pleasure to supply materials and arrange contact with appropriate parties.
W&L is not a large research university. How much impact can funding from our organization really have?
Because of the school’s small size and close community, the impact of each gift is felt by virtually every member of the W&L community. A gift for improving the library, for example, will benefit every single student, faculty and staff member on campus. Funding to establish a new academic program will affect the academic opportunities of every W&L student and influence the intellectual climate of the entire university. The close knit campus and a student body interested in broad academic exploration, with increasing interdisciplinary offerings, guarantees that there is no such thing as a ‘limited reach’ gift at W&L. Donors can be assured that their generosity will impact the entire University community.
At the same time, W&L is one of the best liberal arts schools in the United States and enjoys a commensurate level of influence and reach. As such, donation impact extends far beyond our campus. Students who have received scholarships, research and internship opportunities, international experiences and innovative classroom instruction through corporate and foundation generosity enter the workforce at the highest levels within the U.S. and abroad, bringing their talents and training to the broadest variety of careers and community work.
Further, W&L boasts several programs that are looked to and admired nationally. The School of Law’s Black Lung Clinic, for example, is one of the best coal miner’s defense operations in the country. The college’s Shepherd Program on the Interdisciplinary Study of Poverty and Human Capability is a revolutionary undergraduate program currently being emulated by top institutions nationwide.
Our organization requires the highest level of responsiveness, reporting and fiscal responsibility. Can W&L meet this standard?
W&L views every request for funding as a conversation and every gift as a solemn commitment to the donor. We understand that corporate and foundation giving is not about satisfying the needs of a specific school or organization but rather about using these venues to achieve a greater goal. When we approach a corporation and foundation, the donor’s needs are as much a priority as our own.
We are proud of what we are able to accomplish with corporate and foundation funding and are eager to report on the use of funds and the progress or results of a project. We realize that accurate reports allow you to understand how well we have carried out a project and what your contribution has achieved, and also to evaluate best practices and priorities within your own operation. Reports are a key component in partnerships between donors and grantees and we take them very seriously.
W&L is proud of its excellent record of financial stewardship. The university endowment's diverse range of asset classes have, on average, performed in the top quintile over the past three-, five- and ten year periods relative to the Mellon Trust Endowment Universe. In addition, in 2006-07, the investment pool generated its strongest one-year nominal return since 1985-86. We invite you to review the information on the University Treasurer’s website and to request audited financial reports.
Context is important to us in our giving. How can we get a sense of how your projects fit in the wide university picture?
We have just completed a comprehensive Strategic Plan, available online at http://strategicplan.wlu.edu/strategicplan.pdf.