We were giving $20K/yr to one alma mater (SLAC) and $10K/yr to the other. Oldest kid was accepted at both. Other kids did not apply.
The kid who applied should have gotten in anyway.

So - givers: for some of you it sounds like you’re thinking it gives your kid an admissions advantage. Is that right? Do you think it’s significant?

Started 100 to 500 dollar donations per year to my top 5 undergraduate and top 10 medical school since completing my fellowship. I benefited from scholarships, and I wanted to give back to my alma maters. Twins accepted REA. Both not interested in medicine.

I don't give money to my alma mater but I do give money to Maryland athletics

No, never, ever.

I think I gave $50 once a couple years after I graduated. I never made big money and the association with the school didn't get me much. Over the years I dropped off the phone list and they stopped bugging me. No worries, Carnegie Mellon has billions and my donation wouldn't mean a thing.

The threshold for getting in and the price have risen to the stratosphere and my kids never considered it. I just have the memories of a different time and place.

Yes, initially $1K/yr, but recently dropped to $500, as my philanthropic focus has changed to favor a specific medical research charity. Child was accepted, and attended.

My spouse and I met in college and got married shortly after. We give to our college every year, but I don't know that we've given more than $50–$100 in any given year.

Even if we can't give a lot, I like to remind myself something we told our kids a lot, that "you get good at what you practice", and generosity and gratitude are two things I want to be good at. This is one way we're working on that.

Because OP asked: As it turns out, two of our three kids now go to the same school we went to, but (perhaps obviously?) our donations and their applications where wholly separate things.

I do, DH does not. Our kids did not apply to any of our alma maters. Our kids who have graduated also donate to their schools.

Spouse and I both went to non-selective publics and have done well. Mostly give ($20K/yr) to one of our DCs schools than to either of ours at the moment though one of the schools (a SUNY) will get a 7 figure gift in the future based on our long term giving plan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes.
Began annual (larger) gifts 5 yrs before applying (50-100k/yr). Turned into a 10-yr 7figure pledge (total) and “named” gift after outreach from development.
Double parental legacy at T10.

Accepted.

Were you assigned a development officer?

This is a lot more that what we've given. But after a couple years of consistent giving, we were assigned a development officer, and it happened to be right in the middle of application season. Accepted. Also T10. And still receiving personal communication from development officer whenever they're in town. (OP here)

PP who works in higher ed philanthropy—highly unlikely this had any impact on your kid’s admission. DOs are generally assigned to anyone with a certain capacity who has given at a relatively minimal level. If your capacity is very very significant and you’ve been identified as very likely to give a 7-figure-plus gift, maybe? But I’d be surprised given the timing you describe. And although there are a couple of schools in the top 10 known to more readily put their finger on the scale in admissions for kids whose families have big money, it’s not as common as people assume.

Which schools? The same ones someone identified above? Or was that you?

No, haven’t named any schools and won’t.

$100 a year which is all I can afford but would give more if circumstances allowed. Had a fantastic experience in college and am very grateful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes.
Began annual (larger) gifts 5 yrs before applying (50-100k/yr). Turned into a 10-yr 7figure pledge (total) and “named” gift after outreach from development.
Double parental legacy at T10.

Accepted.

Were you assigned a development officer?

This is a lot more that what we've given. But after a couple years of consistent giving, we were assigned a development officer, and it happened to be right in the middle of application season. Accepted. Also T10. And still receiving personal communication from development officer whenever they're in town. (OP here)

PP who works in higher ed philanthropy—highly unlikely this had any impact on your kid’s admission. DOs are generally assigned to anyone with a certain capacity who has given at a relatively minimal level. If your capacity is very very significant and you’ve been identified as very likely to give a 7-figure-plus gift, maybe? But I’d be surprised given the timing you describe. And although there are a couple of schools in the top 10 known to more readily put their finger on the scale in admissions for kids whose families have big money, it’s not as common as people assume.

Thanks! We've been generous, mainly bc we want to support the school and its mission, especially now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes.
Began annual (larger) gifts 5 yrs before applying (50-100k/yr). Turned into a 10-yr 7figure pledge (total) and “named” gift after outreach from development.
Double parental legacy at T10.

Accepted.

Were you assigned a development officer?

This is a lot more that what we've given. But after a couple years of consistent giving, we were assigned a development officer, and it happened to be right in the middle of application season. Accepted. Also T10. And still receiving personal communication from development officer whenever they're in town. (OP here)

PP who works in higher ed philanthropy—highly unlikely this had any impact on your kid’s admission. DOs are generally assigned to anyone with a certain capacity who has given at a relatively minimal level. If your capacity is very very significant and you’ve been identified as very likely to give a 7-figure-plus gift, maybe? But I’d be surprised given the timing you describe. And although there are a couple of schools in the top 10 known to more readily put their finger on the scale in admissions for kids whose families have big money, it’s not as common as people assume.

Which schools? The same ones someone identified above? Or was that you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes.
Began annual (larger) gifts 5 yrs before applying (50-100k/yr). Turned into a 10-yr 7figure pledge (total) and “named” gift after outreach from development.
Double parental legacy at T10.

Accepted.

Were you assigned a development officer?

This is a lot more that what we've given. But after a couple years of consistent giving, we were assigned a development officer, and it happened to be right in the middle of application season. Accepted. Also T10. And still receiving personal communication from development officer whenever they're in town. (OP here)

I've had a similar experience. I've managed not to meet with her for three years now. They're in the middle of a billion dollar fundraising campaign, and I have no desire to up my donations at this point.

Thanks for sharing. We have young DCs who may or may not apply so thinking it through.