Skip to:Main Content

Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University

FAQs for Alumni

What do alumni have to do with Corporate and Foundation giving?

Lots. Officers of foundation and corporate giving programs recognize that one of the best ways to judge if giving to W&L is a good investment is to see whether the people who know it best ― you ― think it’s a good investment.

Many foundation applications require information about the level of alumni giving. Alumni information is even more essential to corporations. When we approach a corporate giving program we need to know how many alumni work for that corporation and how many of them are taking advantage of corporate matching gift programs. For W&L, this is all good news as we have an extraordinarily active and generous alumni base. Donations that you contribute to W&L on an individual level help CFR fundraising as well.

Are there ways alumni can be more directly involved in CFR efforts?

Many! CFR is lucky to work with alumni advisors and advocates, and we are always looking to make more of these valuable connections. Alumni advocates are often a tremendous asset in the foundation and corporation application process. Assistance can take many forms. For example, an alumna might endorse a proposal we’ve sent to her company’s corporate program ― employee interest can have a huge impact on corporate giving decisions — or an alumnus with a contact on a foundation board might initiate on a project, or facilitate a meeting.

I’m a recent graduate. Are there ways I can be helpful to CFR?

The most important commodity in the CFR world is information. A genuine understanding of the goals and needs of a foundation or corporate giving program is priceless, and alumni can be our best resource for this. If you work with an organization with a giving program and think W&L might fit the giving profile, let us know.

But we’re not only interested in the ideas of your employer. As a recent grad you are in an excellent position to evaluate the aspects of your education that were most valuable and the areas that could use some expanding. If your new place in the world has you thinking you wish W&L offered Arabic, or that it would be great to have an internship program with modern art galleries, tell us. You may inspire the next big proposal.

If you have ideas and suggestion to share about corporate and foundation fundraising or would like to join our advisory board, we would love to hear from you. Email George Carras, or contact any member of our staff directly.