Dear
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,

Happy New Year from the Pines & Maples team! We hope you had a wonderful holiday and are looking forward to a healthy and happy 2013.

To everyone who has contributed to the Double It! Matching Fund, THANK YOU! Based on a report from the College dated December 31, 2012, 82 donors have given more than $35,000.

This is a reminder that there are only eight days left to contribute. Checks must be received by 5 PM on Thursday, January 10, 2013, in order to be counted in the Double It! Matching Fund. Online gifts must be made by 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 10, 2013.

Please donate now!

Why is it important to donate now?

As you know, the College faces enormous debts and infrastructure costs. Although no single fundraising campaign can fix Wilson's financial problems, making a gift now—even a small one—CAN make a difference. Alumnae are not the only source of funding for the College; Wilson also applies for grants from foundations and other sources. A key factor that such organizations consider when deciding whether to award a grant is alumnae engagement as measured by percentage of donors. By being on record as a donor this year, you can help improve Wilson's chances of receiving grants. Also, your gift is a tangible demonstration of our unwavering support for Wilson as a women's liberal arts college.

I give to Wilson every year; isn't it someone else's turn?

It is always everyone's turn to contribute. If Wilson is to continue her mission, we all need to stretch and support the College to the greatest extent possible. Think of the students now and what it means for them.

I've never given to Wilson; why should I start now?

Your experience at Wilson was possible because previous alumnae gave generously to the College. This is the perfect time for you to join the tradition of giving back to Wilson! Not only does Wilson need your help now, you also have the opportunity to double your gift of $50 or more.

I read the Wilson Magazine (formerly called the Alumnae Quarterly) and stay in touch with my classmates. Why am I learning now that Wilson is in dire straits?!

We don't know all the reasons why Wilson now faces a financial crisis. We do know the global economy has affected Wilson, and President Mistick and her administration have chosen to be forthright about the College's financial situation. None of us could have prevented the current economic downturn, but we can support Wilson now at this critical time.

I want to make a sizable contribution to the Double It! Matching Fund. How do I make sure it is counted as seed money?

Thank you! We are still actively encouraging seed money donations that make it possible to match contributions from other alumnae. If you are able to contribute $1000 or more and would like your gift to serve as seed money for the Double It! Matching Fund, please email Nicole (nicole@pinesandmaples.com).

Why did we initiate the Double It! Matching Fund?

We want the Wilson College Board of Trustees to postpone for three to four years any decision that would alter the long-standing mission of Wilson as a women's liberal arts college. Wilson needs money and students. Because it was not possible to recruit students in the very short time frame available between the Board meeting on December 1, 2012, and the next meeting on January 13, 2013, we chose to launch a matching fund to raise money for Wilson. We hope this effort will serve as a show of good faith to the Board of Trustees, and demonstrate that, given more time alumnae can help Wilson in substantive ways that include raising money, and assisting with student recruitment and retention.

What are the goals of the Double It! Matching Fund?

  1. To show the Board of Trustees that alumnae can work effectively with Wilson staff to support the College.
  2. To recruit new and reacquired donors who support the college by donating whatever they are able to give.
  3. To enable donors who can give $50 or more a chance to double their gifts to Wilson.
  4. To give everyone who believes Wilson should remain a women's liberal arts college a chance to invest in that belief.
Firmly pledged to love and honor...

Deborah Barnes '71
Melissa Behm '76
Kendal Hopkins '80
Nicole Noll '03
Carol Noon '87

P.S. Please excuse duplicate messages. This information is also circulating via the Class Correspondents—we thought you'd rather be informed twice than not at all.

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