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[quote=Anonymous]It does depend on the school. Some state schools, for example, are forbidden by law from considering donations.

However, IME, you’re smart to think if this now, if donating is something you think you might do anyway. In addition to the big donors, schools do pay attention to who has given relatively modest amounts consistently over many years. At both universities I attended, giving even $500-$1,000 a year over 12 years or so will get you into a different category ($$ from someone who suddenly starts to donate their kid’s Junior year, not so much). I’ve been a consistent giver at about that level since shortly after I graduated. When my DC was the age that he would be applying to college, I got a handwritten note from a development officer at my undergraduate school, saying that I could contact her if I should need assistance. This is a school that regularly gets multimillion dollar gifts.

But this makes sense, as most colleges have a surprisingly low participation rate in giving by alumni. If they could get every alumni to give just a small amount, most colleges would have huge endowments.

I’d also add that, the amount of $$ required to get noticed at the vast majority of schools is lower than most people think. Low six figures will get you a development officer that is your best friend, even at a school with a healthy endowment. Especially if the money is for something like scholarships, since most endowments are limited in how they can be spent (usually capital improvements, etc). [/quote]

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