Three out of every four dollars raised for the Alumni Fund come from a relatively small group of alumni who make leadership gifts of $2,500 to $250,000 each year. These donors form the Purple Mountain Association. Named for the majestic peaks that surround the Williams campus, this name symbolizes the living endowment created by these gifts. Purple Mountain Association donors are loyal and generous alumni, parents, and friends of the college whose leadership giving and deep commitment to Williams set an example, inspire others, and make a significant impact on the college. You support the transformational experiences—tutorials, the Williams-Exeter Programme, summer research with professors, music, theater, athletics—that make Williams the gold standard for undergraduate liberal arts education.
Courtesies extended to Purple Mountain Association donors
- Opportunities to deepen connections with Williams through increased contact with faculty, students, administrators, and alumni.
- Invitations to annual leadership summit with the president and special regional events.
- Leadership donors receive a unique piece of Williams memorabilia.
| Giving Levels: Purple Mountain Association | |
|---|---|
| Purple Mountain Association Summit Partners | $25,000 – $250,000 |
| Purple Mountain Association Member | $2,500 – $24,999 |
We also offer donors the opportunity to participate in one of three Alumni Fund programs through 5-year pledges at the $25,000 level per year: Purple Mountain Scholar, Purple Mountain Team, and Purple Mountain Tutorial.
If you are interested in making an Alumni Fund pledge for any other area such as Mental Health or WCMA, please contact Natalia Rey de Castro ’09.
Young Alumni Leadership
In recognition of the critical importance of young alumni leadership giving, these graduated gift levels provide the entry point to the Purple Mountain Association.
| Leadership Thresholds for Young Alumni | |
|---|---|
| Purple Mountain Trailblazer |
0-2 Years Post-Grad: $250 3-5 Years Post-Grad: $500 6-9 Years Post-Grad: $1,000 |
Women’s Leadership
Over the last 50 years, women’s leadership has become an incredibly important part of what makes Williams exceptional. Today, women comprise 60% of senior staff positions, including President Maud S. Mandel, and more than 50% of the Board of Trustees, including board chair, Elizabeth Andersen ’87.
Women are leading in many ways at Williams, and a dedicated group of alumnae volunteers is working to ensure that women’s leadership giving lights the way for future generations of Ephs. Women currently comprise 42% of the alumni body, and thanks to the work of the WE Lead committee, are on track to represent a similar proportion of Purple Mountain Association donors in just a few years.