So, what gifts are included in our overall 50th Reunion Gift total?

Included are:

  • All Annual Fund gifts made since July 1, 2016 (our 45th Reunion year).
  • All other types of gifts made since July 1, 2011 (following our 40th reunion) also are included in the 50th Reunion Gift. 

The most popular gift types are:

  • Outright gifts to create or add to an endowed fund (such as the Class of 1971 Endowed Scholarship), to support a particular project, or add to the endowment.  
  • Will or trust provisions and retirement plan commitments, which allow us to plan our gifts today to benefit Carleton later.  
  • Life income gifts, such as gift annuities, which allow us to make a gift to Carleton today, receive a tax deduction, and increase our retirement income. 

Can any other kinds of gifts be included in that total?

Yes, gifts of all types are included in your class gift. Other gifts given in honor of 50th Reunions in the past have included insurance policies, art, antiques, real estate, and the income from trusts.

How long does it take to arrange a legacy gift?

Depending on how you decide to structure it, a legacy gift can be made in a matter of minutes—for example, by completing the form required by your retirement plan manager to designate a beneficiary of your retirement account. If you want to name Carleton as a beneficiary of your estate upon your death, you should consult your attorney to discuss how best to do so, making sure that you follow the requirements of your state’s law. You may wish to share with your attorney this sample language for including such a provision in your will or trust. Establishing a charitable remainder trust is more complicated and takes more time. Kelly Rowan (866-208-3889) or Sarah Forster (866-208-3889) of the 50th Reunion staff at Carleton can help you assess your options if you’re interested in setting up such a trust and can walk you through the process.

What is the Class of 1970 Internship?

Our 50th Reunion Gift Committee has decided to direct a portion of our 50th Reunion class gift to support student career exploration and discernment opportunities and establish a Class of 1970 Endowed Internship. Together, we aspire to support a dozen student internships each year, in perpetuity!

What if I don’t want to support the Internship Fund with my Reunion gift?

Although the Reunion Planning Group was very enthusiastic in our selection of the Class of 1970 Internship as the primary beneficiary of our 50th Reunion Gift, we understand that not everyone may share our enthusiasm for this cause, and we respect your right to dedicate your gift to another aspect of Carleton’s programs and operations that you prefer to support. Both special cash gifts and planned gifts can be designated to support specific programs or can be directed to the general support of Carleton in such manner as the administration of the College decides from time to time.  

My spouse and I are both alums, can we plan our 50th Reunion gifts as one big gift?

Yes. Alumni spouses from different Carleton class years do receive recognition for the full value of your household commitment in both classes’ 50th Reunion gifts.

What do most people give in honor of their 50th Reunion?

The goal is for everyone to give the gift or gifts that are most meaningful for them. To help give all of your classmates this opportunity, the members of the Gift Group will learn about the benefits of all the different giving options, then talk with and send mailings to your class to share this information. As a result, the 50th Reunion Class Gift typically includes many estate and life income gifts, in addition to outright cash gifts in all amounts. We hope you will be as generous as your circumstances permit. But regardless of the amount you decide to give, please be assured that all gifts in support of our overall Class Gift are genuinely appreciated. Your participation in the Class Gift is as important as the amount you choose to give.

Why should we support Carleton?

Carleton continues to strive for excellence and today is a leader among liberal arts colleges in its academic programs and in teaching. However, Carleton is not a leader in financial assets, especially endowment size. Our gifts can, and do, make a difference at Carleton and help make the education and fun that we had possible for today’s students. Please join with us to ensure that Carleton remains a first-class liberal arts college.

Who can I contact with questions?

If you have questions that are not answered here, or if you need more information, we encourage you to contact a member of the 50th Reunion staff at Carleton: