Student Philanthropy

If one student can make a difference,
imagine what the entire student body can do together!
Rensselaer is raising the bar. You work as hard, or even harder, than your peers at other schools. The quality your education is unparalleled. World-class facilities are available for you to study and live in. The prestige of having earned a Rensselaer degree will stay with you the rest of your life.

Now you, and the rest of the student body, are in a position to make a lasting impact on your remarkable institution.

You don't have to give $360 million to make a difference.
Here's what your classmates suggest*:

It's important that you be recognized for your gift!

If you give from $5-$49, you will be:

• Invited to a thank you reception hosted by President Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D.
• Receive a special invitation to the dedication of the Class Gift

If you give a Leadership Gift of between $50-$99, you'll be recognized with:

• All of the above
• Your name listed in the Annual Fund Newsletter
• The ability to search the Alumni Directory of @RPInet, the alumni Web community

If you give at the Student Patroon Level, with a gift of $100 or greater, you'll be given:

• All of the above
• An invitation to the Patroon Dinner, a celebration of philanthropy held on campus
• Access to the Patroon Room during hockey games at the Houston Field House

Annual Patroon Society - Explorer - A donor becomes a member by making an annual gift of $2,000 or more.
(For current students and young alumni, membership is based on years since graduation - current students: $100, 1-4 years: $250, 5-9 years: $500, 10-14 years: $1,000)
Membership Benefits:

• The satisfaction of supporting Rensselaer’s faculty and students
• Mention of the Honor Roll and in society-only publications
• Invitations to special events
• Access to Patroon Room during hockey games
• Special recognition at consecutive giving milestones of 5 years, 15 years, and 25 years

How does RPI's student giving participation rate compare with our rival schools?

Clarkson - 30%
Union - 65%
WPI - 27%
Cornell - 33%
Dartmouth - 73%
MIT - 20%

RPI - 16.4%(Class of 2007)
RPI - 11% (Class of 2008)
RPI - 1% (Class of 2011)

Put RPI at the top of this list - give now!

Give Securely Online with Visa or Master Card - Be sure to designate the gift to "Class of 20XX Class Gift"

To give cash or check, contact Geoff Seber in the Heffner Alumni House at seberg@rpi.edu, (518) 276-2324.

Class Goals
Freshman - 15%
Sophomores - 22%
Juniors - 28%
Seniors - 30%

Did you know...

• 13,000 alumni are supporting you each year.
• Yearly tuition covers 64% of your academic year. The remaining 36% is made up from donations to the Annual Fund.
  
• $70 Million - estimated cost for enrolling 1 class per year at RPI.
  
• 800 out of 1,000 students receive scholarship money from alumni donations.

Corporate Matching - Even for students!

• Co-op students at GE can have their cash gift matched 1:1
  
• Corporate match can bring you to a new donor level. If you donate $25, GE will match your gift of $25, equaling $50, making you a Leadership Donor.

I want to give to my...
athletic team, department, school, etc.

Though we encourage you give to the Annual Fund, we hope you consider the support of both!

What happens when I become an alum?
When you graduate, you will be communicated to as a donor. We will keep you up-to-date on what is happening at RPI, and also ask you to help future students by supporting some of their education.

The Endowment
Rensselaer's endowment is currently $813 million. Other rival institutions range in the $1 billion endowment.

Student/Alumni Programs
Giving is important, but you can take advantage of all of the products and services offered to you as alumni whether or not you choose to give. Click here to get more information on how you can take advantage of alumni benefits!

Class Gift Web sites:

Class of 2008

Class of 2009

Class of 2010

Class of 2011

Class of 2007
The class has set the bar for future student giving. Take a look at their site to see how they got to a 16.4% participation rate.