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Annual Fund

The purpose of the WMU Annual Fund is to encourage annual gifts to the University from alumni and friends that will enhance programs in each of the campus’ colleges and schools. The challenge for WMU’s Annual Fund program is to ensure sustained growth and to create a habit of giving among alumni and friends.

College Campaigns

Each year, all alumni receive a telephone call or a personalized letter inviting them to participate in their undergraduate college’s annual fund campaign. Phonathon callers are all currently enrolled students who look forward to speaking with alumni and have a great love of Western Michigan University. The goal is to speak with alumni about recent happenings within their college, update their alumni record and invite them to participate in this year’s campaign. Last year, over 12,000 alumni participated in the annual campaign for WMU.

Faculty/Staff Campaign

Each year, faculty and staff are invited to participate in an annual campaign. Employees are sent a letter to their on-campus address during the fall of each year. Each employee has the option of designating their gift to the area of their choice including programs, equipment, departments or the unrestricted fund. Faculty and staff pledges and gifts can be paid using cash, checks, credit cards and/or payroll deduction.

Parents Campaign

Parents of current students are invited to go above and beyond tuition and enhance the everyday and immediate needs faced by Western Michigan University’s colleges, programs, and students. Parents of Seniors and Freshman are contacted in the Fall and parents of Sophomores and Juniors contacted in the Spring. The WMU Parents Fund allows parents to designate their gift to a particular program or college, providing Bronco parents with another opportunity to directly impact the quality of their child’s education today, and to ensure the continued growth of Western Michigan University in the future.

For a minimal donation we offer parents of seniors the opportunity to write a tribute to their graduate to be published in the commencement program.

Click here for an example of the commencement tribute pages (PDF).

Student Legacy Campaign

The WMU Student Legacy Campaign (SLC) is responsible for establishing a lifelong giving relationship with students while still enrolled at WMU. The goals of the SLC are to increase young alumni commitment, create a sense of unity within the student body and raise awareness about philanthropy and support for WMU. In order to achieve these goals, the SLC establishes a volunteer committee consisting of students from every major and class level to host a wide variety of events and promotions that include Senior Tailgates, Grad Fairs, Bowl-a-Thons, and Meet and Greet nights.

Additionally, the SLC offers graduating seniors the opportunity to begin their legacy by writing a tribute thanking someone they care about in their respective graduation commencement booklet for a donation to WMU. Each senior has the option of designating their gift to the area of their choice including programs, equipment, departments or the unrestricted fund.

Click here for an example of the commencement tribute pages (PDF).

Gift Recognition

All cash gifts received during the University fiscal year (i.e., July 1 to June 30) are counted for membership in donor recognition societies. Gifts of cash, securities, or other highly liquid assets are included.

In-kind gifts, such as gifts of art, equipment or real estate, are recognized separately and are not included in the annual giving club and society totals. Gifts made to different WMU departments or programs and gifts made at different times throughout the year are all counted. Only actual gifts received are included.

Pledges and other future commitments count only to the extent of any pledge payments made during a particular University fiscal year.