Annual alumni donations unharmed by state of economy

With the recent economic downturn, schools across the nation have become concerned about whether alumni donations will continue to flow in at a steady rate. At Tufts, post-graduation giving has historically been a main area of monetary support, and the present economic situation is doing less harm than one might expect.

Annual giving _ those gifts to the University typically ranging from $50 to $5,000 _ has not been affected, Assistant Director of the Tufts Fund Ben Foster said. "If you graduate from Tufts, you should be able to give $50, and people do," he said.

Efforts from the Office of Development have resulted in a continued upward trend in donations. "Every year, the number of alumni who give back to the University increases," Foster said. The majority of donations to the recently-concluded $609 million Tufts Tomorrow capital campaign were collected from former Tufts students. But some alumni feel the school is still not doing something right when it comes to attracting donations.

Keeping alumni closely connected with the University in a variety of ways is the best way to encourage monetary donations, Foster said. Communication of the need for funding and its purpose are essential to soliciting donations. "When the alumni realize that the University is working hard to produce great students and have great teachers, then you know they want to give their money to a worthy cause," Foster said.

Support for the Tufts name and the idea of increasing opportunities for current students is the motivation behind many alumni contributions. "As an alum of this school I have a vested interest in making sure that [Tufts] continues to have a great reputation and offer a good experience," Julia Brady (LA '91) said.

But the University should communicate more effectively to graduates about how their money is being spent, alumni said. "It seems like college students who go to Tufts pay an enormous tuition.," Raquel Almeida (LA '98) said. "It's important to demonstrate that there is a need and what the benefits are."

Programs encouraging current students to form a bond with the University are one effort from the Development Office to encourage future alumni donations. The office wants students to begin thinking about future opportunities to donate, Foster said.

The senior fund is one such program working to educate seniors about support networks _ such as Career Services _ available after graduation. "It's about educating them about what's available to them, teaching them a little bit about philanthropy and teaching them the importance of giving back to the University," Foster said.

Continual involvement with the University is another way to keep graduates updated on new Tufts developments, Foster said. "The more active alumni are and the more interested they are in the University, the more we can give them, the more happy they are to give back," he said.

Involvement of this sort includes networking with Career Services and Alumni Relations, participation in "winternships," and conducting interviews for the Office of Admissions.

Graduates agree that these non-monetary approaches to involvement are rewarding and give a sense of connection to the University. Through Career Services, Almeida mentors a Communications and Media Studies intern and feels very involved with Tufts. "I guess it's a feeling of wanting to give back," she said. "I like talking about what I do and I like talking to [current students]. I can remember what it was like to be in their shoes."

During the college years, participation in University activities alone may not be enough to maintain a strong bond with Tufts, alumni said. Despite Brady's active involvement with the rugby team and various other organizations during her time at Tufts, those activities no longer keep her tied to the school.

Last year, Brady and a number of friends chose not to attend their ten-year Tufts reunion. "You forge some strong friendships, but there was not that kind of strong connection to go back," she said.

A wide range of activities may be beneficial for students in college, but this variety may ultimately harm overall class unity, Brady said. Students are spread too thin, she said.

Several outlets may help to encourage school identity, however, such as the Greek system, Brady said. "I'm not suggesting that the Greek system get bigger, but it is something that can help instill a little more pride," Brady said. Athletic rivalries with other schools also can help students to connect strongly with their schools, she said.

But these suggestions alone will not create a strong Tufts identity. "There are a lot of schools who have no Greek system and very small athletic departments who have a lot of alumni giving, so they're doing something right," Foster said.

But the University does not like to compare its fundraising methods and results with other schools, saying that fundamental differences in the types of schools can make comparison difficult. "Comparing [Boston College] and Tufts is like comparing apples and oranges," Foster said.

BC has a greater tradition of athletics, Foster said, but the larger student body inhibits a lot of alumni networking. "Tufts is smaller, so the alumni have the chance to get more connected," he said.