A Realistic Look at Annual Funds

A simple line like, “Many of you who join us here today are annual-fund participants. Thank you. It’s hard to overstate the impact that you are having for the young people who follow you at alma mater. And, even more important, it’s hard to overstate the importance of populating our world with more people who make the same kind of contributions to our society that you are making. Alumni, let’s give ourselves and our institution a real hand,” could be so very, very powerful. No asking. No discomfort on anyone’s part. Some very meaningful reinforcement about the alumni experience and, oh by the way, a positive interpretation of giving.