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What is the purpose of the Class of 2008 Gift Campaign?
This pledge campaign seeks to provide a way for the Class of 2008 to provide a more meaningful and lasting impression on the College of Law (COL) than a traditional class gift such as a bench or a tree. The idea is for students that will graduate this semester to pledge to give back to the College of Law for the next three years beginning in January of 2009. Students may also make an outright gift now. College of Law students benefit everyday from the contributions made by the alumni, and this campaign allows to pledge or give to join in those efforts without delay.
What is the minimum pledge? What is the goal?
No pledge or gift is too small! There is no minimum or maximum a person can pledge. The most important goal of the pledge campaign is to increase alumni participation — to have as many students commit to the pledge or give as possible. The Class of 2007 achieved 76% participation last year so the Class of 2008 plans to beat that participation rate this year.
What if I don't want to pledge money for the next three years, and prefer to just make a donation/gift upfront now?
Your Outright Gift will be very much appreciated and counts as participation in the Class of 2008 Gift Campaign. The pledge form has a place to enter your Outright Gift amount. You may make your Outright Gift by writing a check to the University of Illinois College of Law, or using your American Express, Discover Novus, Master Card, or Visa account number and expiration date.
You can give online here.
How can I be sure that my money will support exactly the purpose I have designated?
According to the Head of the COL Business Office, Maxine Sandretto, ". . . a gift to the College with a specific restriction, we can ensure the funds as used for that purpose." She goes on to give an example, "We have a special fund set up for gifts made to Student Organizations. . . We track donations to this fund via a spreadsheet, to ensure the student orgs to whom the funds were given know of the donations." According to Director of Development, Marianne Downey, "I am a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and I am a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and both of these international bodies require that I annually sign an agreement to honor the AFP Donor Bill of Rights which calls for explicit adherence to donors’ giving designations. You can read about the AFP Donor Bill of Rights.
Where will the money go?
Pledges can be designated to support the Law School Annual Fund, the LRAP Fund, the BLSA Scholarship Fund or the Law Library Fund. Please see the pledge form for more information about fund designations.
Why should I participate?
Your participation in giving to the College of Law will impact the reputation of your soon-to be alma mater and increase the value of your diploma. The American Bar Association annually tracks the direct expenditures per full time equivalent student (FTE) of all US accredited law schools. The College of Law direct expenditures per FTE total is dramatically lower than that of many comparable law schools. This figure is a factor in the ranking formula employed by the US News & World Report. An increase in private support allows the COL to increase direct expenditures per FTE.
Alumni support is becoming more critical as state funding has diminished. Although back in 1980, the state provided 45% of the University operating budget, that figure is now about 20% — state funding represents only 2% of the current College of Law budget.. The College of Law, therefore, depends upon alumni support to make up part of the difference between tuition and the cost of education. During your time at the College of Law you have benefited from alumni support. Tuition only covers roughly half of the costs of your legal education.
How can I pledge?
You can pledge online here. A pledge form is also available in hard copy format here and can be completed and given to any member of the pledge campaign committee, Kelly Salefski or Marianne Downey in the Deans' Suite or send it via e-mail attachment to downey1@law.uiuc.edu.
Committee members are available to take pledges or answer questions about the Campaign. Pledges will be gathered through April 1, 2008.
When is my first pledge payment due? When do I have to pay money?
We are encouraging pledges for the years of 2009, 2010 and 2011. The first pledge reminder will be sent in January 2009, which means you won't have to give your first gift until nine months after graduation.
What happens if I don't want my name made known in connection with my gift?
Just write yes next to the question about making your gift anonymously. It is important to us that we honor your wishes regarding your gift.
Who can I contact?
Please contact one of your committee members with your questions and comments.
The Class of 2008 Gift Committee
- Co-Chairs:Scott Hockenberry and Carolyn Miller
- Robert Beard
- Rob Bressler
- Mywanbo Efokoa
- Michael Halpin
- Ben Jones
- Austin Kaplan
- Eamon Kelly
- Katie Pieper
- Greg Rubio
- James Thibodeau
- Alex Wann
- Jun Wu
- Shu-Fei Yang
- Staff: Director of Development Marianne Downey
