Butler makes so much money on my tuition and fees, why would I make a gift?
~ Answer
This might shock you but Butler is actually a non-profit organization. That's right, Butler doesn't "make" a dime off you…or your parents. All money received by the University through tuition gets recycled and goes right back to helping you get your education.
And because it's a non-profit organization, your gift can actually be a tax write off at the end of the year. Indiana residents can earn a 50 percent state tax credit on a gift to Butler University. Gifts up to $200 for single filers and $400 for joint filers are eligible for the tax credit. Use the Indiana College Credit tax form (CC40) to take advantage of this tax credit.
Given the size of the endowment, why does Butler need my support?
~ Answer
Butler is a world-class institution. To operate each year, it costs millions of dollars, more than our tuition covers. Because of strict spending rules in place to preserve the endowment's principal, only a small portion of its return can be used to support the University's annual budget. To make up the difference between what it costs to run the University and the funds available from tuition and the endowment, Butler relies on private support from its alumni and friends.
Why can't Butler just take money from the endowment to pay for everything?
~ Answer
Most of Butler's money is locked away in endowments. This
means that the funds are restricted and can only be used for
specific allocations. In addition, Butler's endowment only provides
a portion of the University's budget through interest generated by
the principle investment. On average, Butler spends no more than 5%
of the endowment each year and can't use the actual endowment funds
in whole. So when you say "Butler has plenty of money," you should
know that the money has already been earmarked for a special cause
by the donor and is in safe keeping for now.
Tuition covers the cost of my Butler education, right?
~ Answer
The actual cost per student of attending Butler is far more than
we pay per year. And no, we didn't make that up just to wow
you. The rest of our true tuition costs are
paid for by donors who invest a chunk of money each year into
our education. They see our education as a worthwhile
investment. It's like an automatic scholarship that we
don't even have to apply for. It really takes a
village.
You say that a gift of any size counts, but how would my modest gift make a difference when some alumni are giving thousands or even millions of dollars?
~ Answer
A gift of $25 to the Butler Fund can be spent immediately and
has the same impact on the University's spending as an endowment
gift of $500.
If everyone waited until they had enough money to make a major
gift, gifts to Butler would be sporadic at best, the lack of steady
income from year to year would limit the activities and resources
available to students, the quality of professors and programs would
be weak, and daily life on campus would suffer.
Last academic year, 6,010 alumni and friends made gifts under
$100 but accounted for $303,567 collectively. That's
impressive!
Every gift, no matter what size or its designation, truly makes
a difference.
If I make a gift, what will I get for it?
~ Answer
Well, besides the nice, warm feeling that comes with doing good
things for others, you'll receive:
- Your name listed in our Senior Class Honor Roll of Donors and
the 2011-2012 Butler University Honor Roll of Donors.
- Invitations to special events and networking
opportunities.
- Membership in the Ovid Butler Society, if you make a gift of
$50 or more.
How can I make my gift more affordable?
~ Answer
As you get settled into life after Butler, we know that managing
your finances becomes a little bit more than saving enough money to
have a good weekend and you have other things to worry about.
By setting up an automatic funds transfer, you can elect to fulfill
your commitment on a schedule that meets your needs. You can
do this through your banking account or by using your credit card
(rack up those points!). Many of our alumni and friends find
this option to be affordable and convenient.
How do I know my gift will make it to the Senior Class Gift and not a big black hole?
~ Answer
When you make a gift to a specific area on campus, whether it's
the Senior Class Gift or something else personally meaningful to
you, it is guaranteed that your gift will be designated entirely to
that area on campus. Unlike some other non-profits where a
portion of your donation goes to "administrative costs" (can we get
a Wikipedia search on that?!), your gift to Butler goes
directly to the college, department, program, scholarship,
or fund of your choice.
Every once in a while I hear people talk about rankings, what does that have to do with my gift?
~ Answer
We all care about rankings and know that Butler has been ranked
pretty high in U.S. News & World Report these last few
years. But many are surprised to learn that student and
alumni participation have an effect on the rankings these
universities and colleges receive from such publications.
Basically, the more people who give to Butler, the better our
beloved school ranks. And the better our school's rankings,
the better you (and your degree) look as a result. It's like
guaranteed stock.
No one is going to ask you to make a $50,000 gift to Butler
while you are still a student (though, if you've got it, they'd
certainly appreciate it). However, making a gift of any amount this
year is an important signal to individuals within the Butler
community that you value the high quality education you are
receiving and that you are significantly invested in the life of
the University for generations to come. All it takes is the price
of one Starbucks run to show your support.