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Contact Information
Annual Giving

866-729-0314 or
866-729-0315
315-859-4648 (fax)
Annual Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

We invite you to learn more about the Hamilton College Annual Fund by reviewing some of the questions asked most frequently by our alumni, parents, friends and volunteers:

Annual giving is a way in which the largest number of college constituents are able to support Hamilton. The Annual Fund includes unrestricted gifts and gifts restricted for current operations. Gifts to the Fund are expended in the fiscal year in which they are received. The tradition of alumni generosity — this desire to give back in gratitude for all the College has made possible in our own lives — is a central and defining characteristic of who we are as alumni of Hamilton.

How will my gift make a difference?

Annual gifts help support the operating budget of the College. Nearly 6% of annual operating expenses are provided by alumni, parents and friends of the College. These gifts provide critical resources for scholarships, faculty salaries, academic programs, student services, athletic programs as well as co-curricular programming … and much more. An additional $115 million in endowment would be needed to generate what Hamilton receives through Annual Fund gifts!

By making a gift, the donor is choosing to take an active role in the life of the College. Every gift counts toward increasing our participation rate. Each gift has immediate impact. Every $1 given to the Annual Fund equals $5 of spendable income from the endowment. Alumni giving serves as an important measure by which foundations and those who rank colleges and universities gauge alumni involvement and satisfaction. The line item impact of your Annual Fund gift magnifies its importance since the Annual Fund contributes the equivalent of: 

* 35% of the faculty portion of employee salary and benefits
* 27% of the physical plant cost
* 27% of all student scholarship aid Hamilton's financial strength is critically important to support current and future students and faculty – the heart of the institution.

A healthy balance sheet allows the College to attract the best students and faculty and maintain our superb facilities. Hamilton takes great care to preserve our endowment for the future by prudently drawing down on the returns generated. Many elements of the endowment are restricted for specific, non-budgetary uses.

Why does the College with its large endowment need more money? 

 The College  spends approximately 5% of endowment income for current needs which covers approximately 30% of Hamilton's operating costs. Income from tuition and room and board does not entirely cover the remaining costs to operate the College. The financial support of Hamilton's alumni, parents and friends are essential to make up the shortfall. Hamilton has an obligation to preserve its future and honor its 196 year past by maintaining and growing its endowment. 

What is the Annual Fund?
The Annual Fund is the most important source of discretionary revenue for Hamilton College. Gifts that are unrestricted enable the college to provide resources to those areas where the need is greatest. The Hamilton College Annual Fund turns individual gifts of all sizes into a collective pool of support for the College's highest priorities and most important initiatives.

How is The Annual Fund used? 

 The Annual Fund provides operating resources and supports all aspects of College life. Some areas supported by your annual giving dollars include: 
  • Scholarships
    The College seeks to attract innovative and engaged students who are critical thinkers and future community leaders. Gifts of scholarship will allow the College to attract the best students regardless of need.
  • Academic Programming
    Annual Fund gifts support academic programming, academic initiatives and priorities across the curriculum. You support for Hamilton's academic programming ensures equitable benefits for all disciplines and supports student success in every field of endeavor.
  • Faculty Support
    The heart of a Hamilton education is its faculty. Annual Fund gifts support their work, enhance compensation levels allowing the hiring and retention of superb teachers and create opportunities for their professional development and research initiatives.
  • Student Life
    Hamilton recognizes that student participation in co-curricular activities creates a rich and more dynamic community on the Hill and in our Oneida County community as well. Annual Fund gifts support student run unities and activities that enhance the overall Hamilton experience.
  • Sustainability
    Hamilton is committed to environmental sustainability and accountability in every facet of campus life. Gifts to sustainability will support on-campus initiatives to preserve our natural resources for the 21st century and beyond. 

What is the average size gift made to The Annual Fund?

Gifts of all sizes are deeply valued and critically important. During the 2003 - 2004 fund year, the average gift made to the Annual Fund was $454. The average alumni gift last year was $558 – a tribute to the generosity and loyalty of the Hamilton family. GOLD alumni gifts, which are vital to the health of our participation percentage, are generally smaller.

How many alumni give to Hamilton College? How does this compare to the giving rates at peer institutions?

During the 2006 - 2007 campaign, 8,062 alumni made annual gifts to the College. This resulted in a 50.3% participation rate. The participation rate of a college's alumni is often used to indicate alumni satisfaction. Below are 2006 - 2007 comparative fund raising figures. You can see for yourself how Hamilton stacked up.
Alumni
Participation
Annual Fund
Dollars

Total Alumni
Williams
62.8%
$11.4 million
23,393
Amherst
61.3%
$8.9  million
18,782
Davidson
60.3%
$4.8  million
15,558
Bowdoin
59.5%
$8.0  million
14,252
Hamilton
50.3%
$5.7  million
16,037

What are matching gifts and will my employer match my gift?

Matching gifts are dollars matched by employers in response to charitable contributions made by employees. Retirees, as well as spouses and domestic partners of employees often are also eligible for corporate matching gifts. To find out if your employer is a matching gift company, please contact your personnel or human resources office. To have your gift matched, complete a matching gift form and return it, along with your contribution, to the Office of Annual Giving. Matching gifts can help you qualify for giving clubs recognition. 

If you are not sure if your company will match your gift, click here to access the CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) Matching Gifts On-Line Search to find out.