Gifts had to be made in a three-week period that started just before Amherst’s Homecoming weekend and ended after Williams’ Homecoming and the Amherst-Williams football game. Only one gift per alum was counted toward the challenge totals.
For volunteers and young alumni, it was an exciting three weeks that ended in a well-earned victory.
“The friendly rivalry with Williams was fun as a student, and I don’t see why it should stop after graduation, especially when there’s a good cause behind it,” said Cristian Navarro ’16, a class agent. “Leveraging the rivalry to motivate classmates to join the College’s long-standing legacy of alumni generosity is what makes the challenge not only fun to volunteer for, but also meaningful.”
The increase in gifts follows a trend of young alumni giving over the past several years. Annual Fund participation by all 15 youngest classes has steadily risen, and last year, 46.5 percent of young alumni made a gift to Amherst—a participation rate well above the national average. All gifts to the Annual Fund have an immediate impact, providing critical, current-use budget support, and when alumni give back, they make a clear statement about the value they place on their education and their confidence in the mission of the College.