Firm Giving FAQs
What is the Law Firm Giving Program?
The Vanderbilt University Law Firm Giving Program is designed to give alumni at law firms and organizations an opportunity to reconnect with their alma mater and promote giving to the law school’s annual fund in a fun and challenging way. Firms and organizations with two or more VULS graduates are encouraged to participate in the annual Firm Giving Program, led by one or more Firm Representatives. Within each firm or organization, our Firm Reps inspire everyone to join together and meet the 100% giving challenge during the law school’s fiscal year. Any gift made from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 counts towards this fiscal year’s Firm Giving Challenge.
How does the Firm Giving Program benefit our firm or organization?
Firms and employers benefit by enhancing their recruiting prospects at VULS, a top-20 law school that enrolls some of the nation’s best and brightest students. Also, firms and organizations that achieve 100% giving participation will be listed on the annual Vanderbilt Law School Firm Giving Honor Roll and will receive public recognition, including:
- Signage prominently displayed in the main entrance to the law school building and in the Career Services lobby during on-campus interviews.
- Public recognition in the Lawyer magazine and on the VULS website. To see the 2008-09 Honor Roll, click here.
- Your participation reflects your firm’s support of Vanderbilt University Law School.
How does my participation benefit my law school?
Not only will your gift provide financial support for important programs, but it also increases our overall alumni participation rate. Participation is more than a statistic; it is the primary measure of alumni support, which in turn affects the reputation of VULS. By making a gift, you demonstrate the value you place on your legal education and your connection to Vanderbilt Law. Participation rates are also viewed as a vote of alumni satisfaction and are often considered by potential major donors (corporations and foundations) when making funding decisions. The Firm Giving Program provides a fun and easy opportunity to make a difference and show your support of your law school.
Doesn’t tuition cover the needs of the school?
Tuition only covers a portion of what it takes to run the law school on an annual basis. Donations from alumni and friends make up the difference. Without these gifts, the law school would not be able to fund student organizations, keep class sizes down, recruit and retain distinguished faculty, offer a wide variety of courses, provide career services, maintain the extensive library or continually upgrade technology. In particular, scholarships enable the school to recruit talented students and to minimize the loan burden.
What gifts will count towards the Firm Giving Program?
Any gift to the Law School made during the current fiscal year (July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009) will count toward your participation in the Firm Giving Program. This includes, but is not limited to: a payment on a pledge, a class reunion gift, a gift to a restricted scholarship, a matching gift or gift-in-kind credited to the Law School.
Gifts made to other schools and programs at Vanderbilt (e.g., Arts & Sciences, Athletics/NCC, Alumni Association, Medical Center) are not credited to the law school for our alumni participation rate, so they do not count toward your participation in the Firm Giving Program.
If you're not sure whether you've made a gift to the law school during the current fiscal year, please contact the Development & Alumni Relations office at (615) 322-2606.
How do I make a gift?
- Use our secure online form, Click here.
- Call 1-615-322-2606 or 1-866-882-FUND with your credit card handy (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, Discover).
- Fax or mail a gift form with check or credit card information
Any gift to the Law School made from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 counts towards this year’s Firm Giving Program.
How can I help my firm make the Firm Giving Honor Roll?
Start by making a donation yourself and then talk with your colleagues about the Program and why you are participating. The primary reason why people will participate is because they are asked by someone they know. You should also speak with your firm’s Representative to see what you can do to help them.
What are the responsibilities of a Law Firm Giving Program Representative?
Representatives will inform and motivate their colleagues to make a gift to the benefit of the firm and VULS.
At the end of April, we send each Firm Rep information about the program, the number of alumni at each company and information on how to get everyone involved.
During the dates of the program (from May 1 to June 30) we will update the website weekly with the current alumni participation for each participating firm. Firm reps will also receive periodic detailed updates on the Firm's giving status from the Development & Alumni Relations staff and can also request these updates any time. Email Kathryn Carmody for an update.
How can I enroll my company, firm, or organization in the Firm Giving Program?
The Firm Giving Program is open to any company, firm, or organization where two or more VULS alumni are employed. You can volunteer to serve as your firm or company's representative by calling the Development & Alumni Relations office at 1-615-322-2606 or by emailing us at alumni@law.vanderbilt.edu.
