Giving to Bates jumps more than 30 percent for second straight year
Giving to Bates College increased more than 30 percent for the second consecutive year, as the college received nearly $21.6 million from alumni, parents, and friends during the fiscal year that ended June 30.
This past year’s 35 percent increase in philanthropy follows an increase of 33 percent in fiscal year 2014.
In the Boston edition of the 2015 Presidential Events, the topic was “The Liberal Arts in an Age of Innovation.” From left, President Spencer, Professor of Psychology Amy Bradfield Douglass, Chair of the Board of Trustees Michael Bonney ’80, P’09, P’12, P’15, and Director of Program Design for Purposeful Work Rebecca Fraser-Thill. (Matt Hins for Bates College)
Alumni, parents, and friends take in the Presidential Event at San Francisco's Exploratorium on March 25. (Amanda Harris for Bates College)
At the Presidential Event in San Francisco, President Spencer led the discussion of “The Liberal Arts in a Digital Age” with Chris Barbin ’93 (right), CEO and co-founder at Appirio, and Patrick Pichette P’17 (left), former senior VP and CFO at Google. (Amanda Harris for Bates College)
Gifts to the 2015 Bates Fund totaled $6.36 million to support, among other priorities, the college's top-in-their-field faculty members and a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Here, Assistant Professor of Biology Brett Huggett leads students to Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary for fieldwork during their "North Woods" course. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
Gifts from Friends of Bates Athletics in support of Bobcat teams topped $580,000, an increase of 18 percent from 2014. Here, students in Alumni Gym cheer the men's basketball team on its historic run to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division III Tournament. (Daryn Slover for Bates College)
“We have tremendous momentum due to the generosity of alumni, parents, and friends of the college. In a clear and demonstrable way, this trend tells us that they take pride in what’s happening at the college,” said Sarah R. Pearson ’75, vice president for college advancement. “I am especially grateful to the more than 700 alumni and parents who supported this effort as committed and tireless volunteers.”
“I am deeply grateful to our donors for their generosity and steadfast commitment to Bates,” said President Clayton Spencer. “This steady rise in giving allows us to strengthen core aspects of the Bates experience — strong academics and curricular innovation, generous financial aid, and dynamic student programs that nurture our students’ rich array of talents and interests.”
This past year’s 35 percent increase in philanthropy to Bates follows an increase of 33 percent in fiscal year 2014.
Gifts to the 2015 Bates Fund totaled $6.36 million from alumni, parents, and friends. Within the Bates Fund total, gifts from Friends of Bates Athletics in support of Bobcat teams exceeded $580,000, an increase of 18 percent from 2014. Overall, giving amounted to $21,594,453.
Engagement and philanthropy is on the rise across generations and regions. Reunion-year alumni increased their giving nearly 75 percent in 2015. This past year’s Presidential Events saw significant attendance increases over 2014 — up 76 percent in New York, 70 percent in Portland, Maine, 18 percent in San Francisco, and 10 percent in Los Angeles. The nearly 400 alumni, parents, and friends who attended the New York event at the Whitney Museum of American Art made it one of the best-attended off-campus Bates events ever.
“The growth in giving to Bates reflects a deep affection for the college and strong commitment to the Bates experience,” Pearson said. “On behalf of the entire campus community, I offer my gratitude. It has been a very special year and we are deeply thankful.”
