Parent Giving
Your Support Matters
Parent Giving is an important component of the W&L Fund. Current and former non-alumni parents contribute nearly 15% of the W&L Fund total. Since 2010, parent giving at W&L has almost doubled. Current and former non-alumni parents contributed a remarkable $1.61 million to the university last fiscal year.
Supporters of parent giving help provide an undergraduate experience that continues to set the standard for liberal arts education. When parents and families make gifts to the W&L Fund, the money goes to work right away, supporting every student, faculty member and program at Washington and Lee. Thanks to our donors, the W&L Fund ensures that the university’s most pressing priorities are met: providing small classes, outstanding professors and access to the best academic resources including career development, international experiences, service learning opportunities and much more.
Parent Giving Makes an Immediate Impact
Relevant Information and Upcoming Events
- Visit the W&L Families Webpage
- View the
- For information on joining the Parents Leadership Council, check out our
- Parents Leadership Council Weekend will take place on March 26-28, 2026
- Check out the
By the Numbers
52%
Amount of 2024-25 operating budget supported by philanthropy
$4,582
Estimated annual subsidy every student receives to support their education
$218 million
Additional endowment dollars needed to generate the level of support the W&L Fund provides each year
Frequently Asked Questions
Most private schools have three main sources of funding: tuition, income from the endowment, and annual gifts. Tuition simply does not cover the cost of running a private university. In fact, tuition covers less than half the cost of a W&L education. Without the generous support of current and past parents — along with alumni and friends — tuition would be much higher to maintain the full and distinctive W&L experience.
Annual gifts to the W&L Fund are not invested — they are used right now to sustain current year operations and activities that directly impact every student. Annual gifts are the lifeblood of the institution. Parent giving comprises 15% of the W&L Fund.
W&L recognizes leadership parent giving through the following groups:
- The Parents Leadership Circle: Members of the Parents Leadership Circle make an annual gift of $25,000 or more to the W&L Fund.
- PLC Steering Committee: Members of the Steering Committee make an annual gift of $10,000 or more to the W&L Fund.
- The Parents Leadership Council: The Parents Leadership Council (PLC) includes parents who make an annual gift of $5,000 or more to the W&L Fund.
- The President’s Society: Parents (non-alumni and alumni) who give $2,500 or more are recognized as members of The President’s Society (TPS).
Parent Giving
Office of University Development
- P: 540-458-8420
- F: 540-458-8428
- E: annualgiving@wlu.edu
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Parent Giving
Office of University Development
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Development Building
Lexington, VA 24450
Our Staff
Your support deserves our attention. Parent Giving staff aim to keep you informed and engaged in the life of the university.
News
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Over 200 people gathered Oct. 18 for the official dedication of the Lindley Center for Student Wellness, which honors the legacy of Dr. Lindley Spaht Dodson ’99.
Nick Peacher ’15 and Elizabeth Bucklee Peacher ’13 strive to give back through volunteering and philanthropy to ensure others have access to the formative W&L experience they cherish.
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Washington and Lee’s Lindley Center for Student Wellness welcomes students into a new space designed for a holistic approach to wellness.
The weekend marked a near record-breaking celebration for the classes of 1975 and earlier.
Dr. Charles Frankum ’90 lays claim to being one of the few surgeons in the country who flies himself to appointments at rural hospitals.
ÄûÃÊÊÓƵ and Lexington Golf and Country Club (LGCC) are collaborating to undertake a complete renovation of the club’s golf course and ancillary facilities, which will support W&L’s top-performing golf teams and revitalize LGCC — Virginia’s second-oldest country club — to benefit the Lexington-Rockbridge community.
Alumni returned to campus to celebrate W&L’s annual spring Alumni Weekend.
Tolu Olubunmi ’02 has made her journey to citizenship an opportunity to inspire and serve others.
Aiken and Enloe were sworn in as trustees on May 9.