BELMONT UNIVERSITY
PARENT PROGRAM From move-in day to graduation, parents play an integral role in supporting and enhancing their student’s experience. Belmont parents can get involved in the life of the community by attending performances, cheering for athletic teams and hosting regional gatherings. Annual giving to Belmont is another way parents make a difference. When parents give to Belmont, they enrich the Belmont experience of all students, including their own. Every student benefits from the generosity of donors. In fiscal year 2016, non-alumni parents contributed over $1.6 million to Belmont, supporting virtually every area of the University.
GET INVOLVED Belmont parents are extremely generous with their time. Some get involved in their local area through the Belmont Alumni Association. Others join the Parent Ambassador Team and help with Belmont gatherings in their home, workplace, at regional events and on campus. The Parent Ambassador Team is composed of parent donors who also wish to support Belmont through service and volunteering. Ambassadors are asked to make a gift of any size to Belmont. They are invited to serve as greeters and hosts for special events including New Student Orientation, Move-In Weekend, Parent Receptions, Welcome Parties, Parent & Family Weekend and more. To learn more and get involved, contact Debbie Sprang, Director of Parent & Family Programs, at debbie.sprang@belmont.edu or call 615.460.5460. “We are committed to making Belmont the best college experience for our daughter, her classmates and all those who follow them. We believe supporting the endowment is the best platform for giving Belmont the opportunity to support faculty, expand programs and increase scholarships to make a real difference in Belmont’s quality of education and overall mission.”
Jim & Noreen Carruthers Parents of Claire ‘19
GIVING TO BELMONT Annual gifts of any amount can be directed for the Annual Fund, the Bruin Club, a specific school, college or program, or creating or enhancing an endowed fund. Regardless of size, annual gifts make an immediate impact on the lives of Belmont students and faculty by enriching our academic and co-curricular programs. A healthy annual giving program is a reflection of a strong university community and ensures a better Belmont now and for years to come. How can my gift to the Annual Fund impact students? Grateful parents and grandparents want to give back to Belmont. Each family makes the decision about how much to give based on their personal circumstances. When combined with other gifts, even small gifts make a significant impact. When can I make my annual gift? We welcome your gifts to Belmont when it’s most convenient for you. Donors who make a gift prior to December 31 each year will be included in the President’s Report on Philanthropy. To help you keep on track to fulfill your philanthropic goals at Belmont, you will hear from us twice each year. In the fall, we invite parents to support students and join the Parent Partners Program or Parent Leadership Circle. In the spring, parents are invited to join alumni and friends in the week-long, annual giving fundraising initiative, Bruins4Bruins. Do matching gifts from my employer count toward membership in the Parent Partners and Parent Leadership Circle programs? Yes! Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match most charitable contributions made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift program, go to matchinggifts.com/belmont.
ESTABLISHING NAMED ENDOWED FUNDS How do named endowments help Belmont? There is no greater fundraising priority for Belmont University than scholarships for deserving students. Endowed scholarships provide much needed assistance to students with financial need and often mean the difference between choosing to attend Belmont or forgoing the opportunity. Endowed scholarships also help Belmont recruit and retain the best and brightest students regardless of financial circumstances. Several parents have created endowed scholarships and mission funds in honor of their son’s or daughter’s Belmont experience and to leave a lasting legacy. The minimum level to establish a named, endowed fund is $25,000 which can be pledged over five years.
We Believe: The Campaign for Belmont University Gift Matching for Endowed Funds In 2016, Belmont launched We Believe: The Campaign for Belmont University which focuses on five key areas that are critical to enriching and preserving what Belmont can offer students for generations to come. Growing the endowment is our greatest need and highest priority. To demonstrate our commitment and to ensure that future generations of Belmont students enjoy a thriving university, Belmont is partnering with endowment donors to strengthen the impact of individual endowed funds. Throughout the campaign period, Belmont University will match, “dollar for dollar,” endowment contributions of $25,000 or more, doubling the impact of each donor’s commitment when they give to one of three priority areas: faculty support, missions or endowed scholarships. By creating a named, endowed fund, you will be forever connected to the University. We pledge to provide annual financial reports and information about the students benefiting from your endowment.
LEADERSHIP GIVING TO BELMONT UNIVERSITY Your gifts to the University will help your student and every student today and in the future. Belmont’s most generous parent donors are recognized for their annual support at the following giving levels: Parent Partners Program Parent Partners is a unique opportunity open to parents and grandparents of current Belmont students. Giving may be directed to the Belmont Annual Fund, the Bruin Club, a specific school/college or to create or enhance a named, endowed fund. Those who give $1,000–$4,999 annually to Belmont become members and receive the following:
“Receiving the William Randolph Hearst Scholarship at Belmont is one of my greatest blessings. This gift enables me to use these four years to fully explore my interests and round out my education without fear of the future or financial burden. I’m so grateful to be a part of this unique community at Belmont.”
• Invitations to special events • Recognition in Belmont publications • Special communications throughout the year Parent Leadership Circle (PLC) Leaders among parents who give $5,000 or more annually are welcomed into the Parent Leadership Circle. In addition to the benefits available to Parent Partners, members of the Parent Leadership Circle receive invitations to the Spring and Fall Parent Forums which provide opportunities to connect with faculty, senior leaders and program directors; hear We Believe campaign updates; and learn about new and existing academic and cocurricular programs.
Mikaela Clark ‘17 Hometown: St. Louis, MO
WAYS TO GIVE Gifts to Belmont may be made online, by phone, by mail or by transferring gifts of appreciated securities. Online Go to webelieve.belmont.edu click GIVE on the menu bar and complete the gift form. Phone To make your gift by phone, please call 615.460.5517. Mail Make your check payable to Belmont University. Please include a copy of the giving form which is available at webelieve.belmont.edu/ways-to-give. Mail to Belmont University, Office of Development, Fidelity Hall 105, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212. Securities Donors may enjoy substantial tax savings by transferring gifts of appreciated securities to Belmont. For details, go to webelieve.belmont.edu/ways-to-give/ and click on TRANSFER OF STOCKS, SECURITIES OR CASH. Planned Giving For information on bequests or beneficiary designations, please call 615.460.5466. Thank you for encouraging and supporting your student while he or she attends Belmont University. We invite parents and grandparents to create their own meaningful experience by getting involved in the Parent Program. For more information, please call Debbie Sprang, Director of Parent and Family Programs, at 615.460.5460 or email debbie.sprang@belmont.edu.
BELMONT.EDU | WEBELIEVE.BELMONT.EDU
Belmont University is a Christian community. The university faculty, administration and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure for all things. As a community seeking to uphold Christian standards of morality, ethics and conduct, Belmont University holds high expectations of each person who chooses to join the community. Belmont University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service or sexual orientation. Inquiries or complaints concerning the application of these policies to students should be directed to the Dean of Students, Beaman Student Life Center Suite 200, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212, deanofstudents@belmont.edu or 615.460.6407. ALM-16419