Giving to Bates

What do Forever Garnet volunteers do—what are my responsibilities?

Forever Garnet volunteers help create a sense of community among classmates and strengthen their relationships with the college. Responsibilities include:

• Make your Bates Fund gift by December 31 and encourage others to do the same.
• Speak with classmates about the importance of estate or planned gifts; refer them to Gift Planning staff as needed.
• Share news from campus and encourage classmates to participate in virtual or in-person alumni programming.
• Attend Forever Garnet Zoom calls to connect with other volunteers.
• Thank fellow alumni for their engagement and generosity to Bates.

How are Forever Garnet volunteers different from Class Agents, Officers, or Reunion Volunteers?

Forever Garnet volunteers have the freedom to engage with classmates and other alumni in varied and meaningful ways. You will have the opportunity to collaborate on virtual programs and join other Forever Garnet volunteers for volunteer-focused Zoom calls.

Bates staff can help you learn to run your own class-specific Zoom calls and send your own newsletters, which are most well-received when they come directly from a classmate.

Rather than signing Bates Fund solicitation letters—which are now sent directly from Bates—you have opportunities to share other creative and impactful ways to support Bates, including through endowment contributions and planned gifts.

As a Class Agent/Officer, I wasn’t talking about estate gifts—why now?

We find that after the 55^th Reunion, alumni are more interested in exploring planned gifts. For classes in their 50^th year and beyond, volunteers are instrumental in helping educate and encourage their classmates to consider supporting the college through bequests, trusts, or other planned gifts.

You’re Invited!

Learn more at our upcoming Forever Garnet Volunteer events:

Friday Apr 10

Phillips Society Luncheon

12:00 pm

Members of the Phillips Society, Mount David Society, Garnet Circle, and long-time donors are cordially invited to the Phillips Society Luncheon on April 10, 2026. The Phillips Society Inaugurated in 1998, the Phillips Society honors the…