by Jake M. Neuman ’93
Chairman of the Webb Alumni Fund

At first glance, the 2019-20 Webb Alumni Fund (WAF) total raised of $2,027,089 might seem underwhelming with the backdrop of the successive record-breaking WAF years. But when you consider just how different this giving year was from most, reaching the $2 million plateau was a difficult task, one that could only be accomplished through your generous gifts during these uncertain times. When we planned for this WAF year, we knew all too well that you have been asked to stretch your giving capacity during the six-year Campaign for Webb effort. Then unexpectedly, in the last quarter of the giving year, COVID-19 disrupted our lives.

Most Webb students learned remotely during the spring semester. Many alumni experienced professional hardships. Our Spring Phon-a-thon was replaced by Webb Cares—phone outreach conducted by Webb students to ensure everyone’s well-being—a great display of the Webb family values. In spite of all of the challenges, alumni, led by class agents, persevered and contributed over $2 million of much-needed support for Webb. This is only the fourth time in Webb’s history that the WAF has surpassed $2 million, and for added context, the WAF secured $1.3 million in the first year before the Campaign for Webb (2013-14). In short, I am proud of what my fellow alumni have accomplished, but I would not be doing my job unless I shared with you that I think we can do even better next year! THANK YOU to all who continue to make the WAF a pillar of Webb’s financial support.

Together, we achieved a nation-leading undergraduate participation rate of 70.4% and 18 Webb classes boasted an amazing 100% participation rate. Our future is bright, too, as the most recent 15 graduating classes combined for an average participation rate of 86%.

I look forward to a great WAF 2020-2021 as we strive to raise $2,100,000 and secure the participation of 75% of undergraduates.

A huge thanks to the Class Agents, Group Leaders, and the Development Office for all their time and efforts for the Webb Alumni Fund. The success of the WAF truly is a team effort! Thank you! A special thanks to Paul Hayes ’54 who is handing over Class Agent title to Joe Signorelli ’54 and welcome to our newest class agent, Reneé Tremblay ’20!

You can have a big impact on the future of our fundraising success and Webb’s financial well-being by:

• Maximizing your current giving levels – The WAF average gift is $2,553 and the median gift is $750. Maybe these are goals you can strive for or comfortably exceed, depending on your circumstances.

• Giving as early in the giving year as possible – This allows everyone involved in this effort to spend more time cultivating alumni that either do not give regularly or have not yet given at all.

• Serving as an ambassador for the WAF and Webb – Help your fellow class agents by encouraging classmates to maximize their giving and to give as early in the giving year as possible. Sharing your giving strategies (monthly giving, gifts of stock, gifts leveraging donor advised funds, charitable distributions from your IRA, matching gifts, etc.) may inspire a new gift or help your peers achieve new giving levels!