This page aims to shed a little light on why the Class of 1977 should be important participants in the campaign for the Future of Smith. Please take the time to click on the buttons and learn more. Then you may make an online pledge or gift (it's easy!) if you have not already responded to print requests, and return to our Home page or the Reunion page.
 FUND TEAM COORDINATORS: Jean Sandman Manthorne and Nancy Nadel Walsh
 CLASS GIFT AGENTS: Elizabeth Ambos, Karen Flannery James, Elizabeth Sawyer Kelly, Melissa Ellen Larsen, Harriet Madoff Oswald, Debra Romero Thal
 CLASS AMBASSADORS: Anne Deatly, Lynn Smith Fox, Mary Yoder
 CLASS STEWARDS: Gina Belt, Kathryn Quaintance, Margaret Robinson, Irene Spielman-Hodge
 MEMORIAL CHAIR: Nan Smith Stifel
 PLANNED GIVING CHAIR: Julia McCabe
 Fund team page (for fund team use; password required)
A Tradition of Giving
The Class of 1977 can be proud of its tradition of giving generously to the Alumnae Fund of Smith College. It seems that every major (five-year) reunion has included record-setting gifts or participation levels. Now that we find ourselves somewhere in the middle of the Alumnae Parade, rather than near the end of it, let's give '77 a collective pat on the back for a history of giving. However, are you still giving the same old amount you gave in '82? Let's "up the ante" in support of Smith -- it's our generation's turn to be the leaders among Alumnae donors!
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Our Class Reunion Goals
Our Fund Team, co-chaired by Jean Sandman Manthorne and Nancy Nadel Walsh, in conjunction with our Alumnae Fund liaison at Smith, have set our 30th Reunion goals at $500,000.00 and 77% participation. Let's all do our part to help meet these noble goals!
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Reasons for Giving
With tuition and room & board charges now exceeding $42,000 a year, financial aid made possible by the Alumnae Fund of Smith College is critical. Nearly 60 percent of all Smith students receive need-based grants from the college. Annual gifts to the Alumnae Fund provide the most flexible form of support for a variety of important needs. Unlike endowment, which generates a specified percentage of income over time, the full value of undesignated annual gifts is immediately available for use where it is most needed. Annual gifts help fund:
  • student-faculty research;
  • the housing system that Smith students love and enjoy;
  • travel and uniforms for our athletic teams;
  • Junior Year Abroad;
  • the Career Development Center that assists students and alumnae;
  • preservation and restoration of the campus gardens and trees;
  • plus many, many more areas!
One measurement of the College's success that has become more important in recent years is participation: the percentage of individuals who participate through annual giving, regardless of the amount of their gift. Alumnae participation is a factor in national rankings of the College and the funding processes of some foundations.
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Ways of Giving
There are many ways to fund your gift to Smith. In addition to cash contributions, securities, real estate, personal property, bequests, and a variety of deferred and life income gifts can be used to fulfill your philanthropic goals. If your employer matches charitable gifts, you may be able to add even more value to your contribution.
 
DID YOU KNOW?!
Your 30th reunion gift to the Alumnae Fund can be even more special when you make it in honor or memory of a Smith classmate, family member, favorite professor, or special friend. Each honoree will receive a special acknowledgement from Smith noting that you have made a gift to the College in her or his honor. When making your gift, please include a note stating whom your gift honors, along with the honoree's address if she or he is not known to Smith. (The College maintains contact information for classmates, other alumna and faculty.) If you choose to make your gift online, there is a text box for you to include this information.
 
In addition to the Alumnae Fund, which provides immediate financial resources, several Planned Giving options providing a variety of tax advantages to donors are available to you. Smith's planned giving staff or our Planned Giving Chair, Julia McCabe, can help you determine which planned gift might be right for you based on your financial and philanthropic objectives. For more information, please read her article, below.
 
The College has made giving easier than ever with its online gift/pledge page. You may charge your gift to your American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA card. Does your credit card provide frequent flyer or rental car reward points? If so, your generous gift to Smith can help pay for your travel to Northampton in May, 2007!
This button takes you to the College's online giving page. Thanks for contributing!
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Planned Giving
by Julia McCabe '77, Planned Giving Chair
Many of you wonder what is planned giving and how is it important to you, the college and perhaps our fast approaching 30th college reunion. Let me try to answer that.
 
Each fiscal year you are approached by the College to contribute through the Alumnae Fund. These gifts are current gifts (can be used now) to meet the challenges and opportunities the college faces annually. Unrestricted gifts provide the greatest flexibility.
 
Planned gifts are future gifts to the College; funds that will be available for use only after a future event occurs. Simple planned gift ideas include naming Smith in your will or naming the college as a beneficiary of an IRA or a life insurance policy. More complicated planned gifts use annuities and trusts. These gifts are also called life income gifts. They generally provide an income stream for the donor and a gift to the college when the donor passes. The current income tax deductions for donors and the projected interest rates can be attractive and may also help diversify a concentrated asset (stocks or real estate) portfolio.
 
Both the Alumnae Fund and planned gifts are important to the College but in different ways. Alumnae Fund contributions allow our class to meet our specific Alumnae Fund reunion goal while planned gifts will count towards our comprehensive reunion class goals. While the annual priority is the Alumnae Fund, I would ask that you consider the stretch to include planned gifts in our 30th reunion year.
 
Many complex planned gifts are tax advantaged and have to be evaluated carefully to determine if they are appropriate. You can get some idea of the potential income tax impact by reviewing the simple tax facts and planned giving calculator at www.smith.edu/future/planned. Check out the deferred payment gift annuity. You should always consult with your tax accountant, financial advisor and/or legal counsel before you make a planned gift. The staff of the Planned Giving office is very helpful and can be reached at 1-800-241-2056 (option 5).
 
If you have made a planned gift and are a member of the Grécourt Society, I thank you. If you have recently recognized the college as a beneficiary in your estate, life income trust or retirement plans, but not yet joined the Grécourt Society, please register online. Membership is important and awards are handed out to reunion classes with the highest participation.
 
Julia McCabe '77
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Updated 8/29/06