The Lawrence Fund

Goal: $18 million

What is The Lawrence Fund?

The Lawrence Fund supports the daily needs of the college. It enables Lawrence to hire high quality faculty who are committed to teaching, provides scholarships, and maintains the campus buildings and infrastructure. A gift to The Lawrence Fund makes an immediate impact, and 100 percent of every gift supports today’s needs.

How do students benefit from The Lawrence Fund?

Historically, all Lawrence students have, in effect, been “scholarship students” whether they knew it or not. Full payment of tuition, fees, room, and board has never covered all of the costs of a year at Lawrence and the difference — as much as 35 percent of the actual cost — is met, in large part, by gifts to The Lawrence Fund. (We call it a “hidden grant” that all students receive, in addition to financial aid or merit-based scholarships.)

The Lawrence Fund also provides a financial infrastructure from which new initiatives like Lawrence Fellows and Posse can be launched and supports internships, international study programs, cooperative education, and independent research.

Is making a gift to The Lawrence Fund something I should do every year?

Yes; we encourage all alumni and friends of Lawrence to consider a gift to The Lawrence Fund as an annual gesture. Lawrence is proud that during the past two decades, alumni participation rates for contributions to its annual fund are among the highest of its peers. During the More Light! campaign, we seek to raise $18 million in unrestricted support for The Lawrence Fund, reaching the $4 million threshold in annual giving by 2011, and continuing its growth each and every year, even after the campaign ends.

Do gifts to The Lawrence Fund support Björklunden?

An important part of The Lawrence Fund, Boynton Society gifts support the operations of Björklunden, Lawrence’s northern campus in Door County, Wis. With the expansion of the lodge now completed, operating support for Björklunden is more important than ever before. Unrestricted gifts for the northern campus ensure the continuation and success of the important student retreats and adult summer seminar programs that take place in this distinctive setting.