When Matthew Vassar founded Vassar in 1861, he instilled a spirit of giving that persists through the loyal support of thousands of generous alums, parents, faculty, staff, and friends who consistently support the College.

To recognize the dedication of loyal donors, Vassar created the 1861 Loyalty Society. Today, this group of the College’s most committed philanthropic champions includes more than 4,300 individuals.

By making a gift for three or more consecutive fiscal years (July 1 to June 30) to any annual giving fund area in any amount, you become part of the 1861 Loyalty Society.

For many alums, the tradition of giving back to Vassar starts with their senior gift and continues for decades with some giving for more than 40 years.

This year, more than 125 members are celebrating 45 years of consecutive annual giving.

“Philanthropy is about finding causes that speak to your heart and supporting them with generosity as well as consistency. Vassar holds a special place in my charitable giving because my college experience taught me about friendships, curiosity, hard work, and exploring the world.

“I hope that my contributions can help other young people benefit from the Vassar experience. In order to fully strategize a long-term plan for the College, the consistency of year-after-year giving is critical. Committing to ongoing support, in both good times and bad, is the backbone of philanthropic giving.”

– Susanne Daisley Lyons ’79, Vassar College Trustee

Donors Make a Difference

By joining with other loyal donors, you can make a huge impact on students in critical areas including financial aid and building an inclusive campus, promoting teaching and learning initiatives, racial justice, and supporting the College’s greatest needs.

Your steadfast support empowers Vassar College to uphold its core values and fulfill its mission in liberal arts education, fostering stability and continuity that enrich the entire Vassar community.

Each time you return to campus for Reunion, we look forward to recognizing your loyal support with a special donor celebration and 1861 Loyalty Society pin to proudly wear.

“Loyalty means trust, commitment, and sustained engagement. And for Vassar alums, loyalty takes many forms: Reunion, clubs, career networking, and volunteering, to name a few. One of the simplest and most direct is giving to the Vassar Fund. Every year. At any level. The impacts of regular giving are felt today on campus, and resonate into the future by keeping Vassar strong and inspiring others.”

– Kat Mills Polys ’93, AAVC Board Member and Class of 1993 Fund Chair

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each member of the Loyalty Society for your unwavering support of Vassar. Your generosity sustains our mission and enriches the educational experience for all current students. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to Vassar!