Annual Giving

2007 Employee Giving Campaign

Frequently Asked Employee Giving Campaign Questions

Why should I give

The focus of the Campaign is to raise funds to support affordable higher education opportunities for our students.  Virginia Western students who have been the recipients of employee generosity in the past have commented that scholarships as well as emergency funds have had a significant impact on their success! Additionally, your gift is a vote of confidence in the work being done here at the College and is so important because it shows prospective corporate and individual donors that our faculty and staff believe in the future of Virginia Western.

How much should I give?

You can give as much as you feel compelled to give.  We know that you probably contribute to many worthwhile organizations, and we ask you to consider supporting our students and the College at the same level.  Our goal is to reach 100% participation by faculty and staff.  Please consider participating at whatever level works best for you.

How can I donate?

You can make your annual gift to the Foundation by cash, check, credit card, or through payroll deduction.  You can make a bigger impact by having a set amount deducted from each paycheck – that way your annual contribution is larger and you don’t miss the extra cash.

Can I give online?

Yes.  Go to virginiawestern.edu/foundation/annual/GiveNow.html to contribute

on-line.

How does payroll deduction work?

You select the payroll deduction option on the pledge form, and indicate how many deductions and the amount of each deduction you authorize the Commonwealth to deduct from each paycheck.  Your payroll deduction will begin with your first paycheck in October 2007, and continue through the number of deductions you have indicated on the pledge form.  If you are currently using payroll deduction the amount contributed each pay period is listed on your pay stub – please consider increasing this year’s contribution!

Where is my contribution going?

100% of your contribution is directed to the campaign initiatives or scholarship/fund of your choice.  If you choose more than one initiative your contribution will be equally distributed among your choices.  The initiatives for the campaign are as follows:

• The Employee Annual Giving Scholarship provides assistance for tuition, books and other expenses to full-time students with a minimum 3.0 GPA entering their second year with the desire to complete their Associate’s Degree.  Priority is given to those demonstrating financial need.
• The Emergency Book Fund provides assistance to needy students so that they may purchase textbooks when money is not available due to an emergency.
• The Employee Family Scholarship provides assistance for tuition, books, and other expenses to a full-time student with a 2.5 GPA whose spouse or parent has been employed at VWCC for at least two years – August through May.
• The Student Emergency Fund is designed to address exceptional financial hardships faced by new and continuing Virginia Western students that could affect their continuing education.
• You may also direct your contribution to a specific scholarship or fund not listed above.

What if I wantto establish a scholarship?

Give the Foundation a call at 857.6371 and we can help.  We will work with you to establish the criteria for how you would like the award to be administered.

What if I want to contribute to a specific program, but am not sure if there is an existing fund for it?

Just contact the Foundation office (857.6371) and we can suggest a fund/area of need that best matches where you would like your contribution directed.

Can I make a gift in memory of someone or to honor a special individual?

Certainly!  We will be happy to discuss options with you.  An acknowledgement will also be sent to the honoree or appropriate family member, if you wish.

Will people know that I gave and the amount I contributed?

In appreciation for your support the Foundation will recognize you on our website, in the annual report, and on a recognition poster outside Whitman Auditorium. However, the amount of your gift will be kept confidential.  If you wish to give your gift anonymously you may designate so on your donation form.  This year we will give each employee who donates an “I made an impact” button that we hope you will wear throughout the campaign to show your support!

Is my contribution tax deductible?

Yes.

Can I make a planned gift or include the VWCC educational Foundation in my will?

Yes.  Remembering the VWCC Educational Foundation in your estate plans may help you make a larger gift than you thought possible!  Call the Foundation for more information at 857.6020.

Remember to check to see if your spouse’s employer has a matching gift program. You may be able to double, or even triple, your gift to the Foundation!