NAMED SUPPORT
Tracked separately and endowed in perpetuity, named scholarship funds can be focused on issues, programs, or participants of special interest to the donor. The scholars who benefit from these funds can bear the donor’s name, building a deeply personal and permanent legacy of support. Scholarships are a meaningful way to empower young leaders to drive positive change around the world.
Just as Society of Fellows donors are central to our annual operations, they have a strategic role to play in the success of the Scholars & Scholarships Campaign – and indeed, in securing the future of the Aspen Institute – through one-time leadership gifts to support Named Scholars.
BENEFITS AND RECOGNITION
Named scholarship funds follow parameters established by the donor for purposes, programs, and/or types of recipients, and may have an endowment component. Scholarship beneficiaries are recognized as named scholars at the program(s) they attend. All donors at this level receive an annual report on the management and use of their funds, a summary of relevant program activity for the year, bios of their scholars, and personal interactions with their scholars. Donors also receive invitations to special receptions with scholarship recipients and Aspen Institute leaders, and are publically recognized in a variety of ways. Additional opportunities associated with particular giving levels are outlined below:
Beginning at $250,000
Donors who make a gift at this level are featured in a special profile in The Aspen Idea magazine, @ Aspen (e-newsletter), or other Institute or Campaign publication. They also receive a limited edition print with a personalized message from Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson (image/artist will be inspired by or related to the Aspen Institute), as well as two tickets to the Institute’s summer or fall benefit dinner through 2015, for a maximum of three dinners.
Beginning at $500,000
All of the above, plus permanent listing among top-level Campaign donors on a commemorative plaque to be displayed in Aspen; an opportunity to attend select seminars and programs as a guest of the Institute; and a custom produced, leather-bound book with classic readings from 60 years of Aspen seminars, hand-selected by Institute trustees Lester Crown, Ann Korologos, and Leonard Lauder, and signed by Mr. Crown, Ms. Korologos, Mr. Lauder, Board Chairman Robert K. Steel, and Walter Isaacson.
Beginning at $1 million
All of the above, with fund typically endowed, providing permanent recognition. Donors also have the opportunity to recommend scholars and the Institute can facilitate personal meetings and/or gatherings with scholars, as may interest the donors. In addition, the Institute will issue a press release, with personal quote and photo of donor, and organize a VIP gathering to announce the gift.
On average, an award of $12,500 will cover a participant’s direct tuition, lodging, and travel costs, as well as allocated costs related to program management for such programs as our leadership initiatives and Aspen Seminar. For shorter programs, such as the Aspen Ideas Festival or Socrates seminars, the average award is $7,500. For local and Aspen Community programs, the average award is $2,500. The Institute takes care to stretch all available funds for maximum benefit and strategic use.
The value of benefits may vary based upon the actual number and nature of event offerings; donors may decline all taxable benefits.
