Glossary of Fundraising Terms

Alumna
Female who attended Cornell.

Alumnae
Plural of alumna.

Alumnus
Male who attended Cornell.

Alumni
Plural of alumnus; also refers to a group of men and women.

Annual Fund
Unrestricted dollars used to pay current expenses and our most pressing needs. A Cornell education would cost much more if not for the gifts to the annual fund.

Capital Campaign
Designated funds raised for specific projects such as buildings, renovations, or endowing scholarships. Cornell encourages capital campaign gifts to be above and beyond giving to the annual fund.

Planned Gifts
Gifts made to Cornell in an effort to build an endowment for the college. Planned gifts are arrangements that take into consideration the effect the gift will have on the donor’s income, assets, and tax liabilities. Examples include will bequests, life insurance, charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, and retirement plans.

Endowment
A portion of Cornell’s assets held in “savings” to generate income forever. Only a percentage of the earnings from these funds are used by the college.

Gift Clubs
If a donor gives a donation to the college, the donor’s name will be listed in the college’s annual report of giving.

Giving Societies When a donor makes a gift to the college, they will be recognized in the college’s annual Honor Roll of Donors.

Leadership Circle $10,000 and above (Annual Fund gifts only)
Presidents Society $1,500 and above
Royal Purple Society $500-$1,499
Hilltoppers Society $300-$499
The Rock Society $150-$299
Contributors Society $149 and below

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Young Presidents Society

Special membership levels are available for alumni
who graduated within the past 14 years.

1996-1997 graduation years $1,250 per year
1998-1999 graduation years $1,000 per year
2000-2001 graduation years $600 per year
2002-2005 graduation years $300 per year
2006-2009 graduation years $150 per year