Annual Fund FAQ

What is the Annual Fund?
The Annual Fund is the giving jar in which all Bucknellians can help keep the university strong. This yearly appeal to alumni, parents and friends raises funds that are immediately used to support many features that make Bucknell extraordinary … including the improvement of financial aid packages, purchasing state-of-the-art computer and library resources, supporting seminars, funding departmental programs, and helping to provide the extra funds needed that are not raised by tuition. Giving annually to the university allows Bucknell to solve problems as they arise and seize unexpected opportunities. Simply put, every student benefits from the Annual Fund.

Why should I give to the Annual Fund?
People give to Bucknell's Annual Fund for different reasons. Some give out of affection for their university or because they want Bucknell to remain one of the great universities in the nation. Others give because they realize that their education at Bucknell was supported by the Annual Fund and they feel a duty and desire to support current students. Some give because they want Bucknell to improve, to become an even better university.

How much should I give to Bucknell's Annual Fund?
Any gift, regardless of the size, is important. It is much better to give $1 than to not give at all.

I am still paying off loans. Why should I give?
The Annual Fund supports financial aid and has been a critical part of Bucknell'ability to reduce or eliminate loan requirements. Alumni benefited from donors before them and today's students benefit more. Rather than giving a lot of money, please give something to voice your support for Bucknell's efforts in financial aid and other areas.

Not everyone makes huge salaries after Bucknell. I'm in graduate school, my husband is between jobs, and we're struggling to make ends meet. How are we supposed to give?
Most Annual Fund donors are not making big salaries. Even those of us without large incomes can spare $1 a year. Again, this is about participation and expressing support for Bucknell, not about giving large gifts.

Bucknell already has lots of money, why give more? Why not support more needy causes?
Bucknell is financially stable because generations of Bucknellians have given. The university is able to continue its tradition of excellence and engage in new activities, not only because of old gifts, but because of the expectation of new ones. Indeed, there are many worthy causes, and the university hopes that you will continue to support them, but we ask that you support Bucknell too.

I want to support specific activities at Bucknell, not just the Annual Fund.
We hope you do support activities of interest to you, but we hope you will also contribute to the Annual Fund because it supports every student and every enterprise at the university.

There are some policies at Bucknell that I don't agree with, so why should I give?

It is inevitable that everyone will not agree with every policy of the university. Disagreeing with a particular choice the university has made does not mean you don't support Bucknell overall. If there are policies you disagree with, we hope you will voice your opinions. We do hope you will also continue to support Bucknell because of the value of your experience and because you want current and future students to enjoy the same rewards.

How do I give to the Annual Fund?
You can click here to make a donation online, call 1-570-577-3200 to make a gift by phone, or mail your gift to: Bucknell Annual Fund, Cooley Hall, Bucknell University , Lewisburg , PA 17837 .