Frequently Asked Questions about Supporting Alfred State
- Are donations to the Alfred State College Development Fund tax-deductible?
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Yes, the Alfred State College Development Fund is a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Gifts to the College are therefore tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
- Are there Gift Clubs and Societies?
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Your gift may entitle you to membership in Alfred State's President's Society.
- Can I buy multiple bricks?
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Individuals may purchase as many bricks as they would like. The cost is the same for each brick purchased.
- Can I donate in honor of a family member or friend?
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Endowments and scholarships are often named in honor of a family member or friend. Also, naming opportunities for classrooms and gathering spaces, laboratories and buildings are available for donors who wish to honor or memorialize their loved ones in this manner.
- Can I get a photo of my brick(s)?
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Once the dedication ceremony is completed, the Office of Institutional Advancement will assist in obtaining a photo of bricks for individuals and/or groups.
- Can I give an anonymous gift?
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Yes, donors often choose to remain anonymous. Alfred State College always respects a donor's stated wish for privacy.
- How many characters are available in each line of text?
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There are a total of 25 characters available. This includes the spaces between the letters or numbers.
- We have a group that would like to have our bricks located close together. Is this possible?
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We are making provisions for individual classes, fraternities, sororities, clubs, campus organizations, residence hall groups, department staff, college programs, etc. to be able to have bricks placed in clusters. If a group wishes to purchase bricks and have them laid together, please let us know and we will do everything we can to accommodate the request.
- What about smaller gifts? I can't afford much, but I want to make a difference.
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Every gift does make a difference. Through the Annual Fund, even relatively small gifts can have a major impact. Just $25 can purchase a new library book or slides and Petri dishes for a chemistry lab. A $100 gift can help a student with needed books or tools. And when combined with hundreds or even thousands of other "small" gifts, the College can hire new faculty members, offer merit scholarships, or meet a host of other critical, ongoing needs.
- What can be engraved on a brick?
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The text will be monitored for appropriateness, but there are very few limitations other than the number of letters available. The most common text is the individual’s name and his/her graduation year, but many are done as memorials or tribute to individuals, groups, or events as well.
- What happens if my brick cracks or breaks?
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All of the bricks will be maintained. If for some reason a brick should be damaged, it will be replaced at no cost to the individual who originally purchased the brick. Of course, in the future some wear and tear can and should be expected, but if for any reason a brick is damaged beyond normal wear, it will be replaced.
- What is an endowment?
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An endowment preserves capital, overcomes inflation, and provides long-term, reliable income to the College. For example, a $100,000 scholarship gift might be awarded to deserving students at $5,000 per year - meaning the scholarship fund will be depleted in 20 years. But if that $100,000 were used to establish an endowment, the gift would be invested and a portion of the earnings used to award scholarships. Another portion would be used to increase the principal and offset investment costs. The endowment would therefore continue to grow over time, supporting scholarships for as long as the College exists.
- Where will my brick(s) be located?
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The initial brick pad will be laid at the base of the Hinkle Memorial Bell Tower. Over time, this pad will be expanded and extended to cover all of the walkways and plazas throughout the Alfred Campus.
- Who can buy bricks?
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The bricks are available to anyone who is a friend of Alfred State College. This includes, but is not limited to Alumni, staff, administration, students, relatives and family of any of the preceding, friends, community personnel who are interested in ASC, etc. This opportunity is open to everyone.
- Why does a public college need my support?
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Like most other public universities, Alfred State College receives just a fraction of its revenues directly from state government. Federal and state dollars are sometimes allocated to specific projects or infrastructure needs. Tuition, which has failed to keep pace with inflation over the past decade, accounts for a small percentage of College revenues.
Alfred State College must rely on private donors to support the rest - everything from scholarships to faculty hiring and retention to equipment for classrooms and laboratories. When new buildings are built, state funds pay for the actual cost of construction - but not for the furnishings needed to bring those spaces to life. Gifts and endowments also enable a college to weather the inevitable "lean years," when budget cuts and competing priorities result in greater challenges for public institutions.
