SINCE WE DO NOT CHARGE admission to the 8595 tent, there is no need for us to bounce people or allot food or beverages. This keeps things simple and hospitable.

Benefactors make this arrangement possible. In addition to helping to promote the event like everyone on the Host Committee, Benefactors also contribute funds or make in-kind donations that defray the cost of the gathering and expenses that must be paid throughout the year. For 2012, there are two primary levels of support available.

If you would like to become a Green or Gold Level Benefactor, or to donate an ad hoc amount, please click here.

If you cannot attend, please click here or use the Eventbrite registration form and let us know in the comments that you will not be able to attend.. For 2012 we are looking to raise about $8,500, which will include some reserve funds so that we can get one full year ahead of expenses (see chart for progress). Green and Gold Level Benefactors are provided with a statement of revenue and expenses after the end of the calendar year.

We also would like to recognize those who have contributed to the financial viability of this gathering consistently since its founding in 2006. Listed below are those whose contributions have averaged $200 or more for the first six  years of this event ($1,200+ in total for the 2006-2011 period, or "Gold Level Sustainers"), as well as those whose contributions have averaged $100-199 for the same period ($600-1,194 total, or "Green Level Sustainers"). Complete lists of all Benefactors for each year are available on separate pages on this site.

Contributions for each year are averaged into cumulative figures after each Homecoming. (Note: This list will be updated after the 2012 event to reflect donations made after Homecoming 2011.)

Gold Level Sustainers for 2006-2011

  Aaron De Groft `88 (2007-2011)
  John Fedewa `89 (2006-2011)

Green Level Sustainers for 2006-2011

  Anne Humphries Arseneau `89 (2007-2011)
  Howard Estes `88 (2006-2010)
  Gene Foley `89 (2008-2011)
  Martha McGlothlin Gayle `89 (2007-2009)
  Sophie Lee `90 (2007-2011)
  Sander Mueller `89 (2006-2009)
  G. Paul Nardo `88 (2006-2011)
  John Romano `90 (2006-2011)
  Susan Spagnola Rutherford `89 (2006-2009, 2011)
  Dave "Hersh" Smith `89 (2007-2009, 2011)
  Shannon Watson `89 (2008-2011)
  John Windt `89 (2007-2011)
 

THE CHIEF PURPOSE of the 8595 project is to raise alumni participation in the College community. The Homecoming hospitality tent is our first attempt to meet this goal, and this Website is the second.

Along with event attendance and various affinity group memberships, for some alumni a higher level of participation might also include more financial support and an interest in oversight and governance. There are dozens of established W & M funds set up to receive the contributions of alumni and it is our hope that one result of our endeavors will be increased awareness of the available charitable giving options.
 

WHILE THE 8595 EFFORT ITSELF is also funded by alumni contributions, our costs are very minimal in the scheme of things and we do not have any plans to build a treasury or fund any expensive projects. We only wish to cover our costs and believe that the net impact of 8595 will be an increase of donations to official College and WMAA fund-raising programs.

Please note that 8595 has not researched the ways donations are used by the specific entities that receive them and the organizational links provided here do not constitute any qualified endorsement of any department, policy, or individual. We advise you to take the time to understand how funds are employed by any entity you are considering supporting. And if you wish to place restrictions on how your contributions may be used, make sure to clearly specify any conditions you are setting down and do so in a format the beneficiary recognizes.
 

IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT to state that money is not the only thing of value to the College community. Far from it. Your time, energy, and experience are also in demand. Whether you volunteer to help the College, the Fund for W & M, the Tribe Club, or a local WMAA alumni chapter—or this nascent organization—we are confident that the satisfaction that comes with involvement will reward you many times over.

You can even donate your computer's time and energy. Just add your computer to the W & M team on the World Computing Grid and its spare processing power will be harnessed to help research smallpox, cancer, Muscular Dystrophy, AIDS, and other leading edge scientific projects. It doesn't get any easier than that!