Princeton University Class of 1998

Annual Giving FAQ's for the class of 1998 - Update February 2007

The Importance of Annual Giving

It's pretty simple: To maintain its place among the best universities worldwide, Princeton needs Annual Giving.

Here's why: The unrestricted funds raised by Annual Giving provide a notable portion - 10 percent - of the University's budget for educational expenses, supporting the University's core mission. They help to pay for the distinctive, but expensive, qualities that make the Princeton experience superlative - preceptorials, independent work, comprehensive financial aid, a robust computer network and extensive library holdings.

With an $11 billion endowment, why does Princeton need more?

Princeton depends on alumni support to move the University forward into new areas of study and to maintain its place at the vanguard of higher education.

Princeton would not have to continue fundraising if we were prepared to freeze the University in place and say that the total sum of human knowledge has been generated. We would stop fulfilling our mission of teaching and learning. The university that stands still starts to fall behind, and we are not willing to do that. President Shirley M. Tilghman.

The University needs to reinvest funds in the endowment because the income from the endowment will have to cover an ever larger set of activities as the body of knowledge expands.

In the tennis racket business, they stopped making wooden racquets when they developed aluminum ones. But a university doesn’t drop Classics or Chemistry when a new field of study emerges, so there are always new costs – both capital and operating – that require an increased endowment. Nick Nicholas ’62

I can’t give much – why does it matter?

Every gift makes a difference, and provides something that wouldn’t otherwise be available to current students. In the 2005-06 campaign, gifts of $100 and under totaled $1.4 million.

The special virtue of Annual Giving is the vitalizing effect unrestricted contributions have in every area of the University. Annual Giving provides the flexibility to do, on a day-to-day basis, the things that are essential to sustaining educational programs of unsurpassed quality. Arnie Berlin ’46

Princeton’s hallmark features – such as independent work for all students and the low student-faculty ratio – are expensive. Without alumni support, Princeton would have to make cuts at the core of the academic experience since that is where the greatest cost lies.

...measured against that of any other major research university, our undergraduate program simply offers more to its students, in a variety of ways, and it is therefore especially labor-intensive. For example, there are essentially no “all-lecture” courses... we still maintain preceptorials... every junior and senior does independent work... Our undergraduate educational program is an astonishing and unique effort, unmatched by any comparable institution. Neil Rudenstine ’56, who served as Princeton’s provost from 1977 to 1987.

Won’t my gift mean more to my local church / soup kitchen / social organization?

Most Princetonians support a wide variety of organizations – which is in the spirit of “in the nation’s service”.

Through a variety of activities that occur on campus – from training tomorrow’s leaders “in the Nation’s service” to research into cancer-fighting drugs – Princeton makes a difference in the real world.

Broadly, our purpose is to advance the cause of the human race, to benefit mankind. We aim to accomplish this through the leverage of uncommon individuals and through the leverage of important ideas. Phil Schaff ’42

How much should I give to Annual Giving?

The range of gifts in the class of 1998 for the 2005-2006 campaign was $1 to $10,000, with the average being about $130. Any donation, regardless of the size, is important. It is much better to give than to not give at all.

I want to support specific activities at Princeton, not just the general fund.

We hope you do support activities of interest to you, but we hope you'll also contribute to AG. All students benefit from AG, so in a way supporting AG supports every enterprise and extracurricular activity at the University. Your dollars assist the latest goalie on the soccer team, the newest soprano in Triangle club, the next orator at Whig-Clio, and perhaps the future Nobel Prize winner's research project.

You say that a gift for Princeton says I agree with what the University is doing, but there are some policies I don't agree with, so why should I give?

Princeton is a large institution and it is inevitable that everyone will not agree with every policy. Disagreeing with a particular choice the University has made does not mean you don't support the Princeton community as a whole. If there are policies you disagree with, we hope you will voice your opinions to the relevant people. We hope you will also continue to support Princeton because of the value of your experience and because you want current and future students to enjoy the same rewards.

How is the money I give to Annual Giving different from the money I give for class dues?

Class dues are paid by each classmate to support the activities of the Class of 1998. This includes your subscription to the Princeton Alumni Weekly, support for the

Alumni Council, Reunions, class mailings, and other class activities.

How many of my classmates gave to Annual Giving last year?

In 2005-06, 624 (54.9%) of the class donated, and in 2004-05, 572 (50.3%) of the class participated. As we enter our 10th reunion year – we will strive to bring the class back to 60% or more.

How do I give to Annual Giving?

Make a Gift Online: Visit the Annual Giving secure website to make a credit card gift
Make a Gift By Phone: Call 800.258.5421 (outside North America, 609.258.3373). Outside business hours, you will get a recording prompting you to leave your information.
Make a Gift By Mail: Checks may be sent to Annual Giving, P.O. Box 5357, Princeton, NJ 08543-5357. Download and return this form with your gift.

Other Giving Options

Gifts of securities offer significant tax advantages and are easy to make. More information on giving stock.
Your employer – or your spouse’s – may offer a matching gift program to support your gift to Princeton. More information on matching gifts.

Where can I get more information about Annual Giving?

Visit the Annual Giving website, or email Class Agents Scott Birdwell or Jon Curran.

This FAQ was originally prepared by your former class agents, Evan Fieldston and Colleen Shanahan to answer your questions about Annual Giving at Princeton.