Giving

Frequently Asked Questions about College Finances and Making a Contribution

What does the Annual Fund do?
 The Annual Fund provides $3 million to the operating budgets on the two campuses, supporting financial aid, faculty salaries, library and other academic resources, and student services like counseling, athletics, extracurriculars, and career services.

Can I designate my gift for a specific purpose?
 Alumni, parents, and friends can designate their Annual Fund gift specifically for financial aid, for instruction, for academic support, or for whatever college needs are identified as greatest.

This is a tough year. Why should I make a contribution and is my gift important to St. John's?
Without the support of alumni, parents, and friends, the college will not be able to meet its budgeted financial aid goals for the year. Every gift is important, and every gift counts toward the necessary $3 million.

What is the endowment? What is its purpose? What is its status in 2010?
The endowment is like the college's savings account - money contributed to endowment is invested and the principal is not used to meet immediate needs. Instead, the college draws a percentage from the endowment every year to use toward running the college. As of December 31, 2009, the college endowment stood at $110 million.

Because of the downturn in the economy and stock market fluctuations, the endowment value dropped in 2009 by 12.9%. This means the college is able to use less money from the endowment to support necessary programs like financial aid. The St. John's College endowment is highly diversified so as to minimize risk and the investment managers are confident about its value in the long run.

How does the college fund building projects?
Building projects are funded separately from daily operations. Neither Annual Fund nor endowment money is used to build and renovate campus facilities. Special fundraising takes place to secure money for identified projects: the two new dormitories in Annapolis and the new Graduate Institute building in Santa Fe, for example, were made possible with special gifts made during the college's capital campaign.

How can I make a gift to the college?

  • Make a gift online through a secure system by clicking here.
  • Phone the office of Annual Giving to make a credit card gift.
  • Mail a check made out to St. John's College Annual Fund to:
    St. John's College, Advancement Office
    Box 2800
    Annapolis, MD 21404
    or
    St. John's College, Advancement Office
    1160 Camino Cruz Blanca
    Santa Fe, NM 87501
  • To find out how to make a gift of stock or securities, click here.