Office of
College Advancement
John A. Wagner '74
Director, Waterfront Activities
"I owe my livelihood to my liberal arts education. But for me, watching young rowers and sailors develop into mature and interesting individuals is the big payoff."
Jolene Lehr '00
"Giving to The Washington Fund is about building the future, but it's also an investment in my history. I want to always be proud that I graduated from Washington College."
The Washington Fund
As steady and as constant as our namesake
The Washington Fund provides funding for scholarships as well as the College's other pressing priorities. We depend on annual gifts in order to assist students who otherwise might not be able to attend Washington College.
Q. What is the Washington Fund?
The Washington Fund is the first fundraising priority for Washington College every year. It comprises annual gifts to the College that provide the flexibility to support existing, budgeted projects.
Gifts of any size to the Washington Fund are sincerely appreciated since they help sustain vital college priorities like:
- Scholarships (so we can recruit the best and the brightest student)
- Faculty and Staff Support (so we can hire and pay the very best professors and retain high-quality staff)
- Campus Beautification (so we can have a campus that makes everyone proud)
Q. Doesn't the College's endowment provide sufficient resources for scholarships?
The College is fortunate to have many endowed scholarships created by donors who want to honor a loved one or assist students in a particular major. These restricted funds are vitally important and much encouraged. In general, restricted gifts make the most impact at $10,000 or more, while there is strength in numbers and every dollar makes a difference in The Washington Fund.
Q. As a parent, I'm already making financial sacrifices for my child's education. The cost of a Washington College education (including tuition, room, board, fees, and books) stands at nearly $45,000! Isn't that enough to sustain the College's operations?
Unfortunately, no. Though it may seem unbelievable, tuition, room, board, and student fees cover only about 75% of the actual cost of your child's education. The Washington Fund affords the extra resources needed to provide your child with the best possible education. 80% of Washington College students currently receive some form of financial aid; but every single student benefits from The Washington Fund. We depend upon our alumni, parents, and friends to help us bridge the financial gap.
Q. “I can't contribute much.” What difference could my gift possibly make?
One of the factors that determines if a college can obtain government grants is not only how much money it raises, but how many donors contribute. One benchmark of a great college is broad alumni support in annual giving. Graduates who give back to their alma mater send a strong message to external reviewers and potential applicants that Washington College is a worthy investment.
Q. I like to direct my money to specific programming, such as the Sho'men Club or the Friends of the Arts. Do those gifts count toward The Washington Fund?
Although your generosity to special programming is what helps make Washington College unique, this restricted contribution does not support The Washington Fund. We strongly encourage you to support the special programs that appeal to you, but we hope your first commitment each year can be an unrestricted gift to The Washington Fund. It is our perennial priority because it supports each and every student.
Q. When I make a gift at The 1782 Society level ($1,500 a year or more), am I supporting The Washington Fund?
The 1782 Society is a community of donors who have given $1,500; $2,500; $5,000; $10,000; $25,000 or more for any purpose at Washington College during one fiscal year – July 1 to June 30.
Q. As an alumnus, why should I give to The Washington Fund?
Annual gifts to The Washington Fund ensure the sheen on your diploma! In order to maintain its reputation, the College must attract the most promising students and the most qualified faculty. The Washington College you know and love has become a “hot” school – applications have doubled in two years. The Washington Fund helps us to continue providing that distinction.
For more information on ways to make your gift to Washington College please visit our Ways to Give page or contact Rebekah Hardy '05, Director of The Washington Fund at 410-778-7865 or rhardy2@washcoll.edu
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782