Wilson Fund

In addition to deciding on how you can participate in helping us build endowments in perpetuity for one or more of the three preceding initiatives – science, global citizenship, and support for faculty, staff and technology – we need you to help us ensure that the Wilson Fund remains strong and growing.

Giving to the Wilson Fund is the single most important source of revenue for keeping a Wilson education affordable to students and families. Without a strong Wilson Fund, we would have to raise tuition to levels that would keep many deserving students from attending. For more than a century, Wilson College students have benefited from gifts to the Wilson Fund, which go directly to the current operating budget to defray costs where the need is greatest.

However, Wilson Fund receipts have been flat for the past decade, while the value of the dollar has decreased and expenses for student financial aid, faculty/staff compensation and technology costs have risen sharply. It is critical that we remedy this situation, and so we ask you to do all you can to increase your gift to the Wilson Fund and consider becoming a leadership donor with membership in the newly established Pines and Maples Society. With a gift of $1,000 or more to the Wilson Fund, anyone can join the Pines and Maples Society. Gifts or pledges of $10,000 or more that are received by December 30, 2011, will be matched by a challenge grant from Marguerite Brooks Lenfest ’55 and her husband, Gerry.

Eight giving levels are offered:

  • Pines and Maples Society
    Buchanan Circle – $10,000+
  • Silver Key Circle – $5,000 – $9,999
  • Sarah Wilson Circle – $2,500 – $4,999
  • Founder’s Circle – $1,000 – $2,499
  • President's Circle – $500 – $999
  • Century Club – $200 – $499
  • Charter Club – $142 – $199
  • Contributor – $1 – $141

By giving to the Wilson Fund through Leading with Confidence: The Campaign for Wilson College, you will help deserving students stay in school or reduce their debt by providing a scholarship. You will help upgrade and equip classrooms and laboratories and bring renowned scholars, poets and musicians to campus to enhance student cultural experiences. You will help us keep employee compensation competitive and help us maintain our beautiful, historic campus.

Please make your investment in the future of Wilson College by the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2010.