The Parents Fund
Your Support Matters
The Parents Fund is an important component of the W&L Annual Fund. Current and former non-alumni parents contribute nearly 16% of the Annual Fund total each year through their gifts to the Parents Fund. Since 2010, parent giving at W&L has almost doubled. Current and former non-alumni parents contributed a remarkable $1.66 million to the school last fiscal year.
Supporters of the Parents Fund help provide an undergraduate experience that continues to set the standard for liberal arts education. When parents and families make gifts to the Parents Fund, the money goes to work right away, supporting every student, faculty member and program at W&L. Thanks to our donors, the Parents Fund and Annual Fund ensure 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
- 2023-24 Academic Calendar
- View the Family Connection newsletter archive
- For information on joining the Parents Leadership Council, check out our brochure
- Save the date for Parents Leadership Council Spring Weekend March 14–16, 2024
- 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. 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 Parents 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. The Parents Fund contributes 16% of the Annual Fund.
When you make a gift to the Parents Fund, it will be joined with the gifts of other parents, and those gifts add up to a remarkable total! In 2022-23, current and past W&L parents donated more than $1.66 million to the Parents 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 Parents Fund (or the Annual Fund for alumni parents).
- PLC Steering Committee: Members of the Steering Committee make an annual gift of $10,000 or more to the Parents Fund (or the Annual Fund for alumni parents).
- The Parents Leadership Council: The Parents Leadership Council (PLC) includes parents who make an annual gift of $5,000 or more to the Parents 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
The Parents Fund
Office of University Development
- P: 540-458-8420
- F: 540-458-8428
- E: annualfund@wlu.edu
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The Parents Fund
Office of University Development
Washington and Lee University
Development Building
Lexington, VA 24450
Our Staff
Your support deserves our attention. The Parents Fund staff aim to keep you informed and engaged in the life of the university.
W&L Students Learn the Importance of Paying it Forward
The second annual Philanthropy Education Week highlighted the impact donations have on the undergraduate experience.
Dyson Foundation endows director position at the DeLaney Center.
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W&L’s Class of 2027 takes part in orientation experiences at no additional cost.
2023 Annual Fund Tops $10 Million
Total giving to all areas reached an impressive $73.9 million, the second highest total in W&L history.
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What started as a “Tale of Two Evans” 33 years ago has sparked a new friendship for first years Max Patterson and Spratt Allison.
Meet a W&L Scholar: Blake Sanchez ’23
Sanchez plans to pursue graduate study in public policy after graduation.
Meet a W&L Scholar: Ryan Schwartz ’25
Schwartz hopes to enter the medical field to continue helping people.
Rain or Shine, W&L’s Community Comes Together for Parents and Family Weekend
The annual event brought 1,800 people to campus.
A Conversation with the Parents Leadership Council Chairs
Wimberly and Richard McPhail P’24 share their thoughts on the W&L Experience, community and the Parents Leadership Council
W&L Library and Institutional History staff joined Mellon-funded initiative On These Grounds with several partner universities to catalog events in enslaved people’s lives.