Penn Fund reaches new heights in donations

The Penn Fund, which receives annual donations from seniors and alumni, is 13.4 percent ahead of where it was at this point last year, according to Penn Fund Executive Director Damon Cates.

In addition to increases in cash receipts, Cates noted a 4.1-percent increase in the number of donors. The class of 2010 also has 541 donors, which is more than the donors reported for the class of 2009 at this time last year. All in all, Cates explained, the seniors of 2010 “have given more dollars from more donors at this point in their campaign.”

The senior class has reached one third of its goal of $60,000, according to Senior Leadership Gift chairwoman and Wharton senior Rana Taghdisi.

Taghdisi said that a restructuring of the Penn Fund Committee has helped to target specific students and organizations for donations. Last year, Taghdisi was appointed chairwoman of the Ben Franklin Society, which recognizes donors who contribute more than $250. Before Taghdisi’s appointment, nobody was in charge of the Ben Franklin Society.

“It’s more of a structured approach, instead of just constantly sending out mass e-mails,” she said.

Cates attributed the increase in donations to aggressive marketing from the Penn Fund’s Red and Blue Crew, a team of student callers. The Red and Blue Crew, he explained, were most directly in contact with alumni.

He also mentioned that the “Ivy Stone Society” campaign, which encourages donors to donate for three consecutive years, paid special attention this year to recruiting previous donors.

Cates said he thinks alumni and seniors are inclined to donate because of “class pride. They want to show that they love the class of 2009, but they want to do better.”

But College senior Rachel Levick disagreed. “It’s less about competition [with the previous class].”

Levick, also chairwoman of the Nominations and Elections Committee, added that she sees the fund as an opportunity to give back as a class, and to “show class unity.”

“Now I’m a senior and I feel more ownership [of Penn],” said College senior Supriya Challa, who said she felt more inclined to donate because she had “close acquaintances who are very passionate about the fund.”

Challa also said she was influenced by the alumni network.

Neither Levick nor Challa felt that the recession affected their — or other seniors’ — ability and willingness to donate to the fund.

Levick mentioned that, since the suggested donation is $20.10, those who don’t donate are probably “people who aren’t as school spirited” or people who “don’t see the reason for it,” rather than those affected by the recession.

Cates noted that each year, donations have increased. He said other on-campus annual funds, such as those for Wharton, the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Veterinary Medicine, have also seen an increase this year.

“Donors are more comfortable with donating,” he said.

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