Inaugurated in 1998, the Phillips Society honors the landmark 
$9-million endowment bequest of President Charles F. Phillips and his wife, Evelyn Minard Phillips, and now includes more than 500 alumni, parents and friends, who have provided for Bates in their estate plans, or partnered with the College to establish life income gifts. The Society was established to celebrate philanthropy in the spirit of Charles and Evelyn Phillips, and its members greatly value the various tax and estate-planning advantages realized through their participation in one or more planned giving vehicles. They have pledged significant funds to Bates, and have come to value the College's service to them as they make important financial decisions about their lives and their families' futures.
Nearly 150 years ago, in the difficult early days of this 
institution, philanthropist Benjamin Bates had a choice: stay committed to founder Oren Cheney's school, or cease his support. “I will stand by you, Mr. Cheney,” was the simple affirmation that began a tradition of philanthropic devotion from succeeding generations of Bates alumni, friends and parents. Historically, planned gifts and bequests have been the single largest source of endowment support for the College. The needs of our students, and the demands that society will place on our graduates, require Bates to achieve a significantly greater endowment in the coming years. New endowed funds will both relieve the College's dependence on tuition revenue, and ensure that Bates can afford to maintain the level of academic excellence it has worked so hard to establish. Your personal circumstances will determine the best gift structure for you and we will be glad to answer questions and offer suggestions confidentially. Please call or e-mail us (see contact page).
