Parent Giving
Your Support Matters
Parent Giving is an important component of the W&L Fund. Current and former non-alumni parents contribute nearly 15% of the W&L Fund total. Since 2010, parent giving at W&L has almost doubled. Current and former non-alumni parents contributed a remarkable $1.57 million to the university last fiscal year.
Supporters of parent giving help provide an undergraduate experience that continues to set the standard for liberal arts education. When parents and families make gifts to the W&L Fund, the money goes to work right away, supporting every student, faculty member and program at Washington and Lee. Thanks to our donors, the W&L Fund ensures that the university’s most pressing priorities are met: providing small classes, outstanding professors and access to the best academic resources including career development, international experiences, service learning opportunities and much more.
Parent Giving Makes an Immediate Impact
Relevant Information and Upcoming Events
- Visit the W&L Families Webpage
- 2024-2025 Academic Calendar
- View the Family Connection newsletter archive
- For information on joining the Parents Leadership Council, check out our brochure
- Parents Leadership Council Weekend will take place on March 20-22, 2025
- Check out the athletic composite schedule
By the Numbers
48%
Amount of operating budget provided through philanthropy.
$4,222
Benefit per student
$20,704
Endowment needed to generate the equivalent of a $1,000 Parents Fund gift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most private schools have three main sources of funding: tuition, income from the endowment, and annual gifts. Tuition simply does not cover the cost of running a private university. In fact, tuition covers less than half the cost of a W&L education. Without the generous support of current and past parents — along with alumni and friends — tuition would be much higher to maintain the full and distinctive W&L experience.
Annual gifts to the W&L Fund are not invested — they are used right now to sustain current year operations and activities that directly impact every student. Annual gifts are the lifeblood of the institution. Parent giving comprises 15% of the W&L Fund.
When you make a gift to the W&L Fund, it will be joined with the gifts of other parents, and those gifts add up to a remarkable total! In 2023-24, current and past W&L parents donated more than $1.57 million to the W&L Fund. This is a significant endorsement from W&L parents who believe in the mission and direction of the university and support it with their own giving above tuition.
W&L recognizes leadership parent giving through the following groups:
- The Parents Leadership Circle: Members of the Parents Leadership Circle make an annual gift of $25,000 or more to the W&L Fund.
- PLC Steering Committee: Members of the Steering Committee make an annual gift of $10,000 or more to the W&L Fund.
- The Parents Leadership Council: The Parents Leadership Council (PLC) includes parents who make an annual gift of $5,000 or more to the W&L Fund.
- The President’s Society: Parents (non-alumni and alumni) who give $2,500 or more are recognized as members of The President’s Society (TPS).
Giving
Parent Giving
Office of University Development
- P: 540-458-8420
- F: 540-458-8428
- E: annualgiving@wlu.edu
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Parent Giving
Office of University Development
Washington and Lee University
Development Building
Lexington, VA 24450
Our Staff
Your support deserves our attention. Parent Giving staff aim to keep you informed and engaged in the life of the university.
Bill and Wendy Payne Champion W&L’s Institutional History Museum with $3.5M Gift
Trustee issues challenge for support of the project.
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Washington and Lee University announced on Friday, Oct. 25, the launch of a $650 million comprehensive capital campaign, Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee.
W&L Welcomes New Trustees Josephine Covington ’96, P’24 and Jack Huffard ’90, P’28
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