Alumni Fund Class Agents: Setting a High Standard of Giving at Yale SOM

Yale School of Management Alumni Fund Class Agents are leading the way in raising increased support for the school’s Alumni Fund. In the fiscal year that ended June 30th, 2005, the Yale School of Management Alumni Fund raised $773,434, a 35% increase over the previous fiscal year and significantly more than the $600,000 goal. Class Agents also assisted the school in achieving the highest participation rate in recent years, with 47% of alumni making a gift, up two points from the previous year.

Serving as a Class Agent is rewarding, since the money raised for the Alumni Fund has an immediate impact. Class Agents feel that classmates contribute to the Alumni Fund to demonstrate appreciation for their own education and to ensure that a Yale SOM education is accessible for current and future students. Dennis Scannell, Class Agent for the Class of 1989, says, “The Alumni Fund is just one way that we as grads can show our appreciation to the school.” As a Class Agent, Dennis frequently hears classmates “talk at length about the wonderful things we got out of our time at Yale.”

Mark Richter, Assistant Director of Annual Giving, noted that much of the success of the Alumni Fund has been due to the efforts put forth by the cadre of Class Agents. “The response rate from alumni over the past several years has been exceptional. Classmates have responded positively to the direct and compelling appeal of support by our Class Agents.”

Serving as a Class Agent is not merely about asking classmates for financial support. Class Agents find that the opportunity to help Yale SOM is enjoyable. Sheila Chen Wang ’91 has served as a Class Agent since 2002 and comments, “As a Class Agent, I am happy to hear from everyone during the fundraising process. It brings back good memories.” Dennis Scannell adds, “Being a Class Agent has been a lot of fun for me. It’s a way for me to keep in touch.”

As the school’s Alumni Fund continues to expand, now is an ideal time for alumni to become more involved. To learn more about the Class Agent program and how you can make a difference, please contact Mark Richter at (203) 432-1453 or mark.richter@yale.edu. To make your gift to the Alumni Fund this year, please click here >>