Why Should I Give?

Young alumni support is vital, now more than ever.

Why U.Va. needs your help:

1. State revenues currently make up only around 8 percent of U.Va.’s funding. Even though U.Va. is a state university, the Commonwealth of Virginia provides only a small portion of its operating support. That leaves the University to raise 92 percent from non-state sources. Much of that support comes from donors like you.
2. Tuition costs have increased. Financial aid for students is more important than ever. This year’s tuition increases – 10.7 percent for in-state students, and 3.3 percent for out-of-state students - will help make up for reduced state funding. To help further, U.Va. has created ‘Access UVA’, a bold plan for financial aid designed “to keep higher education affordable for undergraduate students.” Click here to learn more.
3. Even with some recovery of state support in the coming years, there is enormous pressure on the schools as they strive to continue providing quality education and remaining competitive, as well as attracting and retaining outstanding faculty.
4. Because 70 percent of the endowment held by the University is restricted, U.Va. relies heavily on annual gifts for general operating support. Although the endowment managed by the University is roughly $1.8 billion, 70 percent of the pooled endowment fund can only be used for purposes designated by donors, such as endowed chairs and scholarships. Consequently, annual giving is vital to funding the University’s projects, places, people, and programs year to year. A $1,000 annual gift is equivalent to the distribution from a $20,000 restricted endowment.
5. Our alumni giving rate lags behind alumni participation at private peer institutions. U.Va.’s alumni giving rate is relatively high (27 percent for 2003) for public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report, but private universities such as Princeton University (61 percent) and Duke (46 percent) command much higher alumni participation. Donor participation is a factor in the U.S. News rankings; by giving, you can help sustain Virginia's place as number-one public university in the U.S. News & World Report survey.