More About the Senior Class Gift

The Wesleyan Fund

The Wesleyan Fund is the foundation of all giving to Illinois Wesleyan.  Gifts to the Wesleyan Fund come from alumni, parents, friends, foundations, and corporations to provide a substantial part of the operating budget.  Contributions to the Senior Class Gift are counted in the Wesleyan Fund's totals.

Wesleyan Fund gifts support need-based and merit-based financial aid, curriculum development, athletic equipment, physical upkeep of the University's facilities, and many other University initiatives.  Additionally, the alumni giving percentage is the only quantifiable method of determining alumni satisfaction with their alma mater, and this percentage is one of 11 factors used by US News & World Report to rank the nation's best colleges.  As a senior, and soon, as an alumnus, giving to the Wesleyan Fund will increase the value of your diploma over time as Illinois Wesleyan University continues to gain national recognition.

Students smiling and laughing in Hansen Student Center


Does Every Gift Really Make a Difference?

What if 200 seniors made a gift to the University?  What good would it do?  Find out.

Those Before You Did It

Illinois Wesleyan University offers students unique and wide-ranging educational opportunities, and this is only possible because of the generosity of previous graduates.  It is important to remember that the financial support of the graduates before you enriched your experience.

Illinois Wesleyan Myths

1.  "IWU Has More Money Than it Knows What to do With."
During your time on campus, you've probably heard someone say "Wesleyan is such a rich school, it doesn't need my money!"  You may have even---dare to think---uttered these words yourself.  Well, the truth is IWU does need financial support.  When compared to peer institutions, Illinois Wesleyan is not very wealthy.  The University currently has an endowment of approximately $160 million, but many schools in IWU's peer group have endowments two or three times greater.  It's this financial foundation that allows a college to support the many programs and people that make it work, so that is why building the endowment is so critical to IWU's future success...and why supporting the University is the same as supporting its students!

2.  "My Tuition Covers All Costs."
Did you know that the revenue generated by tuition, room, board, and fees falls short of the expense of educating the IWU student population?  It's true.  In fact, tuition and fees cover only about two-thirds of the cost of an Illinois Wesleyan education.   As a result, the University depends on endowment investments, foundation grants, and the Wesleyan Fund to help make up that difference.  Gifts to the Wesleyan Fund from alumni, parents, friends, churches, corporations, and foundations help bridge the gap between monies brought in by tuition and the University's operating costs.  In other words, Wesleyan Fund gifts aid the University in supporting your education and that of your peers!  So don't believe the hype.  Now that you know the truth, help support IWU.  Your University needs you!