Reunion Gift Committees
“Yale has always been a special place, in no small
part because of the spirit of community that has been generated by its generous
alumni. Our gifts enable Yale to maintain a world-class faculty, the nation's
best student body, and its position as one of the world's premier teaching
and research institutions. Reunions are an ideal time to discuss how our
interests can come together with the University's needs in ways that will
help shape its future.”
—Howard H. Newman '69, '69 MA
Campaign Executive Committee
Past Chair, Yale Alumni Fund Board of Directors
40th Reunion Gift Chair
What is the Reunion Gift Committee?
The Reunion Gift Committee is a specially formed group of reunion class volunteers who ask selected classmates to consider making significant contributions to Yale above and beyond their ongoing annual giving to the Alumni Fund.
The Reunion Gift Chair is the volunteer leading the Committee's efforts to raise significant financial support for the University during the class celebration of a reunion.
2008–2009 Reunion Gift Chairs
| 1994 | Conley Brooks Harry W. Walker II |
| 1949 | R. Kemerer Edwards |
| 1954 | Irving F. Jensen, Jr. |
| 1959 | Charles D. Ellis Eli S. Jacob |
| 1964 | G. Leonard Baker Christopher Getman Terry M. Holcomb |
| 1969 | Howard J. Newman |
| 1974 | Sharyar Aziz |
| 1979 | Cynthia Hayden Kempner James L. Kempner Kurt C. Mobley |
| 1984 | Nancy Marx Better Alec L. Ellison David B. Singer |
| 1989 | Justin T. Chang Charles S. Garland III |
| 1994 | Charles H. Siegel |
| 1999 | Abigail Hendel Levy Bryan A. Koplin |
| 2004 | Justin C. Cohen Kate S. Gulliver |
Roles/Duties of Volunteers
Working together with the Yale Office of Development staff, the Committee strives to:
- Cultivate relationships with fellow alumni and encourage increased involvement with Yale through reunion giving.
- Match donors' interests and ability to give with Yale's highest priorities.
- Underscore the importance of Yale's strong tradition of reunion giving.
The Reunion Gift Recognition Total
Reunions are a time to recognize not just new gifts made during the reunion campaign, but all classmates' contributions over a five-year period.
The combined reunion total includes nearly all new gifts and gift intentions (pledges) made to most areas of the University since the last reunion: current use Alumni Fund contributions; capital gifts for special purposes; Quarter Century Fund (Class of 1996 and earlier) and Half Century Fund gifts and investment returns for applicable Yale College classes; and gifts from widows, widowers, and friends of classmates.
Capital Gifts: Donors who choose to make a capital gift can direct their support toward a specific purpose that matches their personal interests with the needs and priorities of the University. Such purposes include facilities (especially the new residential colleges), financial aid, faculty support, and academic programs. Capital gifts may also lead to naming opportunities, which may honor or memorialize a person of the donor's choosing. Capital gifts generally are of substantial size and are often directed toward endowments.
Planned Giving: Reunion gift recognition can also be arranged for deferred gifts structured to maximize benefits to the donor and the University. This type of planned giving should be made in consultation with financial advisers and members of the Yale University Office of Development.
Types of Support
There are many different ways that alumni may be asked to support Yale. As a volunteer for the Reunion Gift Committee, it is important to understand the differences between reunion gifts and other types of giving.
The Reunion Gift
The Yale College classes of 1877 and 1892 made the first reunion gifts to the University. Not to be outdone, other classes soon took up the challenge. Today, the tradition of reunion giving inspires some alumni to make significant capital commitments, strengthens alumni participation in giving, and encourages increased annual giving. Reunion campaigns account for a significant portion of cash received by the University each year, providing essential endowment and current use support. All contributions made in honor of reunions during the Yale Tomorrow campaign will also count as campaign gifts.
Other types of contributions to Yale may include the following. All but Class Dues are recognized in reunion gift totals.
Alumni Fund Gifts
The Alumni Fund provides essential unrestricted support for the University's operating budget. All alumni are asked to make an unrestricted gift to the Alumni Fund each year, even though they may also be directing support to other areas of the University. Some classmates in a reunion year choose to make a much larger-than-usual commitment to the Alumni Fund, often a multi-year commitment, as their way of marking this milestone event.
Quarter-Century Fund/Half-Century Fund
Gifts to the Quarter-Century (Classes of 1996 and earlier) and Half-Century Funds are contributions made in anticipation of some Yale College 25th and 50th class reunions. Contributions are invested as they are given and are incorporated (along with interest income) into the applicable classes' 25th and 50th reunion gifts.
Association Gifts
Athletic associations, student organizations, and other Yale groups often solicit affiliated alumni for contributions. Examples include the Football Y Association and the Glee Club. These gifts help organizations fund their activities and are included in the reunion gift total. However, contributions to secret societies and other groups considered independent of the University are not eligible for reunion gift recognition.
Other Special Appeals
From time to time, professional schools, classes, residential colleges, associations, and other groups will organize special appeals for a particular purpose that is recognized by the University for reunion credit. Sometimes, these gifts go toward establishing a fund in memory or honor of a well-loved fellow graduate or a prominent University figure.
Graduates with More Than One Yale Degree or Affiliation
Those who hold degrees from the Graduate School and/or Professional Schools in addition to their Yale College degrees may receive solicitations for annual and special campaign or reunion gifts from each of the constituencies with which they were affiliated.
Class Dues
Class dues support specific class functions, such as reunion events and other activities and pay for the class's subscription to the Yale Alumni Magazine. They are not included in the reunion gift total.
For more information about Reunion Gift Committee volunteers, contact:
Marian Martone
Director, Reunion Giving
65th and Future Reunions
Phone: (203) 432-6287
Fax: (203) 432-5685
E-mail: marian.martone@yale.eduKerry Smith
5th, 10th, and 15th Reunions
Phone: (203) 432-5357
Fax: (203) 432-5685
E-mail: kerry.smith@yale.eduScott K. Speirs
20th and 25th Reunions
Phone: (203) 432-7925
Fax: (203) 432-5685
E-mail: scott.speirs@yale.eduKristen Ogdon
30th and 35th Reunions
Phone: (203) 432-8651
Fax: (203) 432-5685
E-mail: kristen.ogdon@yale.eduPeter Roche
40th, 45th, and 50th Reunions
Phone: (203) 432-5855
Fax: (203) 432-5685
E-mail: peter.roche@yale.eduFiona Leary
55th and 60th Reunions
Phone: (203) 432-6096
Fax: (203) 432-5685
E-mail: fiona.leary@yale.edu
Yale University
Office of Development
P.O. Box 2038
New Haven, CT 06521-2038
