Q: What is the Williams Parents Fund?
A: An annual fundraising effort created many years ago to help Williams cover the complete cost of educating our daughters and sons - annually, about twice what we pay in tuition, room and board.

Q: How does the Fund work?
A: From October to May, all parents are invited, through mailings from the College and phone calls from fellow parents, to make gifts to the Parents Fund.

Q: Who runs the Parents Fund?
A: The Parents Fund Committee - about 80 Williams families representing all parents of undergraduates and graduates. The committee's primary focus is to support the highest priorities of the College. (Want to join the Committee? Call us at 413 597-4357.)

Q: Who gives to the Fund?
A: Almost 1500 parents participated in last year's fund, with gifts ranging from $5.00 to $125,000, for a total of $1,032,579.

Q: Why should I give?
A: Every gift supports the extraordinary education available to all students. Our donations signal to foundations, Williams alumni, and other parents that Williams deserves their support as well. Our gifts, together with annual gifts from alumni and significant monies from the endowment, make it possible for Williams to offer an outstanding education.

Q: Will my gift truly make a difference?
A: Absolutely! The Fund is a collection of hundreds of gifts. Last year, more than 90% of our gifts were for $500 and less. Together our gifts make a significant and important impact on the quality of academic, student, and residential life. Participation is the cornerstone of the Parents Fund and the College.

Q: How does the Parents Fund tie in with THE Williams Campaign?
A: It is, with the Alumni Fund, at the center of what is called a comprehensive campaign. Why comprehensive? Because it is focusing on (1) annual, unrestricted gifts to the Parents Fund and the Alumni Fund, (2) endowment, and (3) capital expenditures. We expect that 90 percent of all donors will make their Campaign gift through the Parents Fund or the Alumni Fund. Over the years, the College has learned that the most valuable gifts to Williams are unrestricted gifts, the very gifts you make to the Parents Fund. Why? See below how Parents Fund dollars are used.

Q: How might my gift be used?
A: Every dollar raised by the Parents Fund goes directly and immediately towards current operating expenses. What are the largest categories? Faculty Resources, Student Life, and Financial Aid. Here are some examples, small and large:

• $6 Laboratory safety goggles
  
• $11 One live frog, crayfish, and crab
  
• for the Biology Department
  
• $15 to Cost of one journal for the library
  
• $15,000 (over 2,000 subscriptions)
  
• $30 Basketball net or squash balls
  (dozen)
  
• $50 Insurance for one van to transport
  students to an away event
  
• $55 Average cost of academic monograph
  (books, DVD, audio CD,
  etc.) for the library
  
• $142 Musician’s chair
  
• $300 Average cost to tune concert piano
  
• $500 Week’s maintenance of Multi-
  Cultural Center
  
• $1,200 Wireless laptop or monthly monitoring
  costs for Fitness Center
  
• $5,000 Average cost of research data
  base for the library (more than
  100 subscriptions)
  
• $6,000 Theatre Department production
  (lighting, sound, costumes, props,
  sets)
  
• $34,000 Chemistry Department laboratory
  supplies (solvents, gases, chemicals,
  etc.) for one year
  
• $34,000 Writing Workshop annual cost
  
• $58,000 “First Days” for new students
  
• $130,000 Annual faculty recruiting costs

   

Q: How do I make a gift?
A:

• Make an online gift at http://give2.williams.edu
• Call for more information and a return envelope, 413.597.4357
• Complete and return the envelope, sent with each direct mail piece, along with your check or credit card number.
• Make a gift of appreciated stock and receive substantial tax advantages. Call 413.597.4259.
• Make a gift in honor of your child, easily done on the return envelope.
• Inquire into Planned Giving. Call 413.597.3538

Q: Are there other ways of being engaged with the College?
A: Yes! Attend regional College events (you will receive notices) and visit with the campus. Come for family weekends. Subscribe to the Williams Record. Visit the Williams Website. Volunteer to work on the Parent's Fund Committee (Call 413.597.4357)

Q: Other questions?
A: Please contact the Parents Fund office at 413.597-4357.
Parents Fund
75 Park Street
Williamstown, MA 01267