Case for the Bates Fund
A Lifeblood and Budget Necessity
In the 2011-12 fiscal year, the Bates Fund will help to make up the $15,300+ difference between the comprehensive fee and the actual cost of educating each Bates student. Bates and nearly all of its peer schools depend on tuition revenue, endowment spending, and annual fund / current-use gifts to cover operating costs.
While Bates stretches its resources through superb planning and careful spending it continues to compete with colleges that have much deeper pockets. Bates must simultaneously multiply its endowment through fundraising and wise investment strategies and build its annual fund (Bates Fund) to maintain a competitive budget and comprehensive fee. Indeed, your Bates Fund support is a life blood of sorts, helping to keep Bates in the game.
Where Does the Money Go?
Far from a “black hole,” Bates Fund budget-relieving gifts support the fundamental aspects of a Bates education: everything from faculty salaries and curriculum development to athletic team travel and dance performances.
| The Bates Fund supports… | This year, your gifts will… |
| Financial aid | …Provide partial support for the 45% of students who receive financial aid. In FY2010, the average College-administered grant was $31,000. |
| Academic excellence | …Help compensate 200+ top-in-their-field faculty members, allowing Bates to maintain a 10:1 student to faculty ratio. |
| Annual library purchases | …Go toward necessary Library staffing, technology, and holdings to support 350,000 Library visits by students, faculty, and guests. |
| Student life | …Support increased Career Development Center offerings and events—such as one-on-one counseling, Employer Information Sessions, internships, and workshops on topics ranging from networking to resume building. |
Join us!
The Bates Fund has grown by 27% in the past two years thanks to incredible engagement and generosity from alumni, parents and friends. Help us achieve our ambitious 2011-12 goals of $6,000,000, 48% alumni participation, and 40% parent participation by making a gift or pledge today.
Go to community.bates.edu/makeagift; call us toll free at 888-522-8371; or send your check payable to The Bates Fund, to 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, ME 04240. The Fund year closes June 30, 2012.