Fundraising Priorities
Unrestricted Giving to the Annual Fund
One of the highest fundraising priorities at Wells is unrestricted annual support. Unrestricted gifts to Wells give the college
the ability to direct support where it is needed most.
Such gifts provide financial assistance for students, support faculty salaries and programs, support technology and fund the
programs that make Wells unique among peer institutions. Gifts made without restriction in support of annual operations are
significant in that they preserve the college's endowment. The college is committed to reducing its annual draw on the endowment
so this vital source of financial security is maintained well into the future.
Gifts in Support of Endowment
Today's students benefit from the generous endowment gifts of previous generations. The Wells of tomorrow is being created by the endowment gifts of today.
The endowment at Wells comprises invested capital that generates funds to be used, in perpetuity, to support the college. Each year the college spends part of the endowment earnings on current operations and on the purposes designated by donors. To protect the principal against inflation, part of the earnings are reinvested. The amount to be spent, called the payout rate, is set by the Board of Trustees to secure and even increase the buying power of the endowment. Endowment income provides a hedge against downturns in the economy, federal and state budget cuts, fluctuations in the political climate, and other changes.
Unrestricted Giving to Endowment
Unrestricted gifts to endowment are the most versatile of all. Gifts given without restriction allow endowment earnings to support the general operating budget and enable the college to respond to emerging needs and opportunities as they arise.
Scholarship Endowment
Scholarship support is critical to ensuring that the doors of Wells remain open to bright and deserving students regardless of their financial circumstances. The rising costs of educating students today necessitates that the college secures its ability to provide financial assistance for students into the future. For a gift of $100,000 you can establish a named scholarship at Wells.
Faculty Endowment
Dedicated professors are at the heart of Wells College. In recent years Wells has faced intense competition for outstanding professors from colleges that offer higher salaries and levels of program support. Gifts made to endow faculty positions enable the college to attract and retain outstanding faculty members by offering them higher salaries, prestigious recognition and increased support. For a gift of $1,250,000 you can endow a named professorship.
Program Endowment
Private support sustains many of the college's hallmark programs including:Athletics, the Henry Wells Scholars Program, the Arts and Lecture Series and the Wells Book Arts Center. The ability to offer these programs keeps Wells competitive in the admissions marketplace, is key to maintaining enrollment and perpetuates the good reputation of the college as a true liberal arts institution. A named fund in support of a specific program can be established for gifts starting at $50,000.
You may direct your support to any of the above designations.
Your gift makes a difference. Thank you for your support of Wells!