Thank you!
Make a Gift"No college or university...is so generously supported by tuition, government grants, or income from endowments that it can ignore the need to systematically and vigorously develop the additional resources it must have from private gifts."
- Robert L. Payton
The St. Mary's Fund is an ongoing fund-raising effort to support the essential needs of the College. Gifts to the St. Mary's Fund go toward educational expenses - above and beyond tuition and state support - in the areas of greatest need and opportunity. Continued support to the St. Mary's Fund is critical to maintaining campus life, enhancements in academic and athletic programs, scholarship and emergency financial aid, and outreach and international initiatives, but most important, the St. Mary's Fund gives the College flexibility to fill in where needed.
Your participation, whether large or small, is important. The percentage of those who make an annual contribution to the College is one of the national standards used for assessing the institution's vitality and the rankings in U.S. News & World Report. The rankings, then, affect the College's ability to secure grants from national foundations and corporations, to attract faculty and prospective students, and to build the endowment.
Every donor makes a difference, and together alumni can advance the mission of the College and enhance the entire student experience. The Class Percentage Challenge is a competition among all the classes to be number one with the largest percentage of donors. The idea is everyone gives something - to the best of his or her ability - every year.
Current Initiatives & Opportunities
Reunion Class Giving
Even if you can't make it to St. Mary's for Reunion Weekend June 11-13, 2010, you can commemorate your special anniversary year, whether it's your 5th or 50th, with a reunion class gift to the St. Mary's Fund. The goal of reunion class giving is to get 100% participation from all anniversary classes - so that everyone gives something. When you give back to your alma mater, you have a direct impact on the College's ranking. Every gift - even $10 or $20 - moves St. Mary's ahead of the competition. If you would like to make your reunion class gift right now, you can do so through the secure online gift form.
Class of 1974 Challenge
A classmate (who wishes to remain anonymous) will match gifts dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000 donated by the Class of 1974. This means more money and support for St. Mary's! Can the Class of 1974 come out on top of the Class Percentage Challenge? It will take everyone's participation for sure! The Class of 2010 should be close rivals as the same matching funds will be applied to its gifts as well. The race is on! Click here to donate now: www.smcm.edu/giveto/donate.html.
Senior Class Giving
The Class of 2010 is working on the traditional parting gift to the College: the graduating seniors decided to earmark their contributions for the Green Fund for sustainability programs and projects.
- Class of 2009 - Library Fund
- Class of 2008 - General Scholarship Fund
- Class of 2007 - Career and Professional Development Fund
- Class of 2006 - SafeRide Program
- Class of 2005 - SafeRide Program
- Class of 2004 - Joshua L. Siegert Memorial Scholarship for Future Educators Fund
- Class of 2003 - Library Fund
- Class of 2002 - Where the need is greatest…
- Class of 2001 - Community Service Fund
- Class of 2000 - Stadium Flagpole
True Blue and Gold
When you've given consecutively for 10 years, you become a member of True Blue and Gold; you will receive special recognition in the Annual Report, invitations to College events, and enhanced College communications. It's that important!
Parent Fund
We celebrate a strong tradition of philanthropy - parents contributed $125,485 to the College in FY'09. Private giving is essential to the quality of the St. Mary's experience; parents who give have a direct, positive impact on their student's education.
Contact Information
Karen C. Raley '94
Director of Annual Giving
240-895-3219
800-458-8341
kcraley@smcm.edu
