Alumni Information
Class Gift Information
Let the challenge begin! What challenge, you say? It's the Senior Class Gift challenge. The class gift campaign is a long-standing senior tradition that has provided invaluable support to the development of Bentley College. The challenge is to raise more money than any previous class.
This is a great opportunity for each of us, who, in a few months, will become the newest members of Bentley's alumni and alumnae family, to start building upon a lifetime connection to our alma mater. This is our chance to work together as a class and make our gift the best yet. We'll set the standard for other classes. When we return to the campus as alumni, we'll be able to see the results of our campaign.
In order to generate the largest senior gift in Bentley history and continue our success as a class, we need your support. To meet the challenge before us, we, the Senior Class Cabinet, are asking you as a member of the Class of '09 to consider joining the First Decade Society, and at the very least, to make a gift to the campaign. Leave your legacy to the campus as you continue your relationship with Bentley as a student and soon-to-be an alumnus/alumnae. Please look over the various ways to give and support our class.
First Decade Society
Purpose
To encourage young alumni to give back to the college immediately after graduation. Also, to involve these alumni in networking circles & discussions related to the direction of Bentley College.
Where does my contribution go?
Money can be directed in two ways- either to the Annual Fund or The Falcon Club. Potential beneficiaries include scholarships, equipment, such as athletic, lab resources, library & classroom updates and improvements.
Who Gives Money To Colleges Anyway?
Alumni, your relatives, and even your parents probably give to those schools from which they graduated. And down the road, you too will eventually give as well. These people recognize the impact that Bentley has made in their lives and want to assure that the next group of students has the same. They also look forward to taking advantage of the opportunities that come with being an active alum immediately after graduation.
What Does Being A Member Mean?
By becoming a member of the FDS, alumni are granted entry into the Presidents Club "circle of giving" without incurring the financial commitment that current members make. (The President's Club members give $1000+ annually to the college) With this membership comes quarterly executive updates about the state of the institution, invitations to join other President's club members at certain engagements, and an ability to lend support and feedback to those charged with operating our college.
What Is My Commitment?
The name "First Decade Society" stems from the idea of "step" giving in accordance with the first decade you are an alumnus. Members pledge to donate to the college at the rate of $100/year times the number of years since they graduated. For example, your commitment to donate $100 this year will represent your contribution until 2010. In 2011 when you are beginning your 2nd year out we will ask for your pledge of $200. $300 your third year out, $400 for your fourth year out and so on? until you reach full President's Club status in year ten.
This Sounds Like A Lot Of Money?
At first $100 might. But, if you put it in perspective based on our starting salaries and earnings potential... it's barely anything at all. In the first year out we allow our future alumni the opportunity to pay by check, credit card, cash, or your student account with either the entire amount or in four installments of $25 (in October, December, February & April). As for the future, it is realistic to believe that most of us will be making $100,000+ ten years from graduation. Therefore the $1000 you pledge then will represent less than 1% of your yearly income and is also tax deductible!
Keep in mind that there were probably things you wish that you had or the college had access to while you were at Bentley. Why not take the first step in ensuring that future students have it better then we did? We accept the responsibility of graduating in such a monumental year as 2009, and embrace the opportunity to leave our legacy. Please join your classmates in their efforts to leave the largest senior class gift ever seen at Bentley College.
