Rather than signing the Fall and Spring Bates Fund solicitation letters—which will now be sent directly from Bates—you will have the opportunity to craft a personalized letter to your classmates that highlights the many creative and impactful ways they may choose to support Bates, including through endowment contributions and planned giving opportunities.  

Your outreach to classmates will be timed around particular campus or virtual events to encourage attendance rather than being tied to the Bates Fund year.

You will have the opportunity to join together with all volunteers that are a part of Forever Garnet to attend twice-annual volunteer Zoom calls.

You will have the opportunity to collaborate on developing meaningful lifelong learning virtual programs each year.

You will still have the opportunity to reach out to classmates about their Bates support, sharing news from campus, and connecting with classmates about the importance of giving to Bates.

You can stay connected with your own class. Bates staff will help you learn how to run your own class-specific Zoom calls and send your own email newsletters. These kinds of gatherings and communications are most meaningful when they come directly from a classmate.

We find that after the 55th Reunion, alumni are more interested in planned gifts … For classes in their 50th Reunion and beyond, volunteers can help educate and encourage their classmates to consider making long-term charitable contributions to the college through bequests, trusts, or other planned gifts. Becoming familiar with these creative giving opportunities helps classmates think about their best gifts for Bates, which may include future philanthropic commitments.