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Golden Scots medals are laid on a table. The metals are brass with Macalester's shield and they are attached to yellow ribbons.

50th Reunion Class Gift

Celebrate 50 Years. Shape the Next 50.

Your Macalester 50th Reunion is more than a milestone–it’s a moment to reflect on the people, ideas, and experiences that shaped your life. It’s also a powerful opportunity to ensure that future generations of Scots can experience the same transformative Macalester education.

Many members of the Class of 1974 walk together under the Link, a red brick overhang with windows that connects the Library and Old Main. They are being led by a piper.

During this special reunion year, classmates are invited to continue supporting the Macalester Fund and to consider making a special 50th Reunion commitment whether through an outright gift, a planned gift, or a blend of both.

What Counts Towards the 50th Reunion Class Gift?

Macalester welcomes a wide range of gifts to celebrate this milestone. The 50th Reunion is the first time a Reunion Class Gift includes gifts beyond annual gifts to the Macalester Fund. The 50th Reunion Class Gift also includes planned and outright gifts in the Class Gift totals.

Timing matters:

  • Macalester Fund gifts made during the fiscal year leading up to your 50th Reunion, June 1-May 31, count 
  • All restricted/outright gifts made after the fiscal year of your 45th Reunion (excluding Macalester Fund gifts) count toward the class gift
  • All outright/restricted gifts and planned gifts made to the most recent campaign count.
Eight members of a 50th Reunion class committee stand next to giant blue MAC letters and the shield

Outright Gifts: Immediate Impact for Today’s Students

Gifts to the Macalester Fund provide essential resources that go to work right away to support students inside and outside of the classroom.

Outright gifts that count:

  • Gifts and pledges made from June 1 to May 31 leading up to your 50th Reunion
  • Multi-year pledges (up to five year)
  • Five years of Sustainer gifts

You can choose how your Macalester Fund gift is directed:

  • Support It All
  • Parent and Family
  • Financial Aid
  • Athletics
  • Campus Life

Additional outright gift opportunities:

  • Make a gift through your IRA (qualified charitable distribution)
  • Add to an existing scholarship – any amount is welcome
    • With a $50,000+ gift to an existing scholarship, you become a fund contact and receive annual stewardship reports
  • Create a new, named, endowed scholarship with a minimum of $100,000
    • Consider pledging this amount over five years, or through a planned or blended gift

Planned Gifts: A Legacy that Lives On

James Wallace Society logo

In 1887, James Wallace joined the Macalester faculty and helped define the college’s values and academic excellence. Today, the James Wallace Society honors individuals whose future gifts ensure Macalester’s continued strength.

Joining is simple – and often doesn’t require changing your current financial lifestyle.

Ways to make a planned gift:

  • Bequests (non-contingent) documented in writing will count at face value. For intentions expressed as a percentage, a good-faith estimate can be used to determine the amount to count towards the class gift.
  • Retirement Assets: Naming Macalester as a beneficiary of part or all of your retirement assets such as a gift from your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plan is an excellent and simple way to make a gift.
  • Life Insurance: If you have a life insurance policy that has outlasted its original purpose, consider making a gift of your insurance policy. For example, you may have purchased a policy to provide for minor children and they are now financially independent adults.
  • Establish a charitable gift annuity with Macalester
    • Contribute $15,000 or more and receive stable, reliable income for life.
    • Receive an immediate tax deduction.
    • The most common assets used are cash, stock, or mutual fund shares.
    • Payout rates are determined by the age(s) of the annuitants:
      • 6.6% for one annuitant, 72 years old
      • 5.7% for joint annuitants, both 72 years old
  • Establish a charitable remainder unitrust with Macalester
    • Receive variable payments for life with the remainder going to Macalester.
    • The minimum funding amount is $100,000 and can be funded with cash, stock, mutual fund shares, or real estate.
    • Payout rates are negotiated and generally range between 5% and 6%.

50th Reunion Goals: Celebrate, Participate, Give

Two Reunion attendees wave as they ride on a golf cart

While the 50th Reunion Class Gift is an important expression of the class’s enthusiasm and appreciation for Macalester, the overall goals for the 50th Reunion also include achieving robust attendance during Reunion weekend and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and has a rich experience while back on campus.

Class Gift Goals set by the Gift Committee:

  • Total dollars raised  from outright and planned gifts
  • Participation percentage of classmates who make a gift of any kind, of any amount
  • James Wallace Society membership – the number or percentage of classmates making a planned gift