Class of 2008 Gift / Pledge
Campaign
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
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
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
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
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