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The One Million Dreams Fund

 
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Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is meant by Class Gift Pledge?

Current students have the ability to pledge now and make the payments over the next four years. Pledging indicates your willingness to give the indicated amount to the School beginning in 2009. Students do not need to make payments prior to graduating.

What are the goals for the Class Gift?

Our goal is to raise $1 million in pledged and matched funds with 100% Class Gift participation. We are focusing intently on inspiring each person to make a gift that they feel is meaningful. We chose this goal because the availability of unique matching funds meant that, if our class pledged at similar levels to the last two classes, we would earn over $1,000,000 for the school. This gift would be the largest gift ever given by a graduating class from any of our peer business schools. The Development Committee believes that achieving this large, record round-number goal would give our class special recognition and influence with the school.

What is the right amount to give?

The amount that each person gives is a personal decision. To reach our $1 million goal, 25 classmates need to maximize the Atwell match by pledging $4,000 or more, and the rest of the class needs to pledge $1,000. Classmates who pledge $4,000 and above or $10,000 and above will receive special recognition, if they choose. All classmates who give non-anonymously will be recognized.

Typically, classmates choose to pledge in a range both higher and lower than these levels. Decisions are best made based on an individual’s feelings about supporting the School and his or her financial position. The School is grateful for any level of participation.

How can my pledge dollars be maximized?

You can increase the amount contributed to the Class Gift Fund through the Atwell Match.

The Atwell Match will match your annual gift dollar for dollar up to $1000 per year. A four- year pledge of $4000 will result in an additional $4,000 contributed by the Atwell Match, for a total of $8000 contributed to the GSB.

Many companies match their employees' donations dollar-for-dollar—and some offer a ratio greater than 1:1.  Corporations match actual outright gifts or pledge payments—they do not match pledges. It is important for donors to contact their company’s HR department each time an outright gift or pledge payment is made to obtain the necessary forms.

Please note that pledges are paid by individual donors. Corporate matches will follow to the Class Gift Fund but cannot be used to fulfill the donor’s original pledge amount.

Does a pledge need to consist of four equal payments?

Pledges can be structured in a number of ways. Many choose to give equal payments, while others choose to increase the amount given in each successive year as their earnings increase and loan repayments decline. See the Pledge Now page for more details.  Ideally, pledges should be spread out to maximize the matching funds available; the Atwell match is for up to $1,000 per year.

Will the Development Committee and the Class Gift Ambassadors know how much each person pledges?

The amounts of all donations are completely confidential. The Development Committee is only made aware of whether a person has made a pledge (but not of the amount of that pledge). A class donor roll is published in the GSB’s Annual Report to Investors in the late fall following graduation (December 2008). Donors may choose to remain anonymous for that publication.

What is the Leadership Circle and Young Investors Circle? How much is needed for a pledge to qualify for each circle?

The Leadership Circle is a special recognition for donors who make higher four-year pledges. The minimum level for Leadership Circle is a four-year pledge totaling $10,000 (for the Class Gift only). Classmates who have the financial means are encouraged to consider making a Leadership Circle pledge. Leadership Circle supporters of the GSB from all class years (the giving level is higher in later years) are sometimes invited to participate in special development events. These pledges will earn the Atwell match at $1,000 per year.

Donors whose four-year pledge meets the level of $4,000 will be recognized in the Young Investors Circle. A pledge of $4,000 will maximize the Atwell Matching Fund and double your gift for each year you give.

For questions about the Leadership Circle, please feel free to contact the Committee co-chairs, Jim Sinai or Rob Bland.

Why should I give money to a school as seemingly wealthy as the GSB?

Alumni’s giving is a critical component of the GSB’s annual budget, without it the GSB would not have the luxury of responsive innovation through programming like September session, Bass seminars, service learning trips, and the Executive challenge. Without the funding, our tuition would have to be exponentially higher in order to receive the same opportunities we have been afforded

Why should I give to the GSB in lieu of other seemingly more needy organizations?

This is a great question, a question that we all have to grapple with at some level. At the end of the day we are asking that you include the GSB in your allocation of charitable funds. And while it may be true that your marginal dollar may seem to have higher utility in other endeavors such as international development, we are asking donors to recognize the role the GSB has had in creating thoughtful leaders who truly are changing lives, organizations, and the world. We believe that contributing to the development of these leaders is of supreme value and has significant impact on shaping the world in a positive way.

May gifts be made anonymously?

Many students choose to give anonymously, and their privacy and right to do so is respected. The Development Office of the school ensures that privacy for donors who give anonymously is maintained internally as well as in any public recognition.

Even if your gift is not anonymous, members of the Committee will only know whether or not you have given a gift, never the amount. All who give non-anonymously will be recognized in the Stanford Report to Investors, published after we graduate.

Can a pledge be changed once the online form has been completed?

Donors can simply complete the online forms again with their new pledge level. Only the most recent pledge will be counted and the prior record will be erased.

Is a pledge to the Class Gift tax-deductible?

As pledge payments are made, they are fully tax-deductible under U.S. tax law and you will receive appropriate documentation at the time of your pledge payments. he pledge itself is not tax –deductible; only payments actually made to the GSB are deductible.

What if a pledge payment is missed?

Each year the Development Office will send the annual pledge reminder. Pledges should be treated as firm commitments to the School, but there is flexibility when unforeseen circumstances prevent donors from honoring commitments as intended. The Development Office is happy to work with individual donors to resolve pledge payment issues.

I’m going to be living outside the U.S. Is my gift still tax deductible?

There are countries where donors to the GSB can receive certain fiscal benefits. For more information, consult the International Giving Page or contact Rong Zhang or Katriona MacIver with any questions.

Do international students give to the GSB, too?

The GSB global network is expanding and it is important for alumni to participate no matter where they reside or work. In the class of 2007, all international students but one made pledges.

What are the average participation rates at other business schools?

Based on a comparison of ten different Class Gift and pledge programs, the average participation rate among graduating business school students is about 83%. The Class of 2006 set a GSB MBA participation record at 95% participation, above the peer group average. However, some of our peers achieved participation rates of 97% or 98%, and one even achieved 100%. Therefore, our goal is 100% participation, knowing that we are equally capable of a solid show of unity!

Who can I contact with further questions?

Please contact any member of the development committee individually via the web page Contact Us.

How do I remove myself from the list of people to be contacted by Ambassadors?

Send an email to Rob Bland or Jim Sinai, and they will remove you from the list of people to be contacted by Ambassadors. Your name will be held in confidence.