Class of 1975 Legacy Giving Challenge
Your 50th Reunion is the perfect time to leave a lasting legacy for Bates.
Eleven of your classmates have included Bates in their financial or estate plans, making them members of the Phillips Society. Now is a great time to join them, and here’s why:
Join the Phillips Society by June 30. For every new member—up to 10—classmates will contribute $2,500 to 1975’s 50th Reunion gift. This will unlock a total of $25,000!
How the Class of 1975 Legacy Giving Challenge Works
For each new member who notifies Bates of their planned gift by June 30, 2025, the class will unlock an additional $2,500 for the 50th Reunion Gift—up to $25,000.
GOAL: Ten new Phillips Society members from the Class of 1975.
FUN FACT: Ten new Phillips Society members in the 50th Reunion year will also make your class a record-setting class in new Phillips Society gifts!
Help unlock $25K in honor of your 50th Reunion!
Why do legacy gifts matter?
Historically, planned gifts and bequests have been the single largest source of endowment support for Bates. Bequests and other planned gifts to Bates will help to ensure that the college can afford to maintain the highest level of academic excellence and its position of leadership among the nation’s finest liberal arts institutions.
If you are interested in learning more about this giving challenge and would like to make a planned gift, please contact Bates.
Casey Andersen ‘12
Gift Planning Officer & Manager of 50th Reunion Giving
207-755-5976
randerse@bates.edu
What is the Phillips Society?
The Phillips Society honors Charles F. Phillips, Bates’ fourth president, and his wife, Evelyn Minard Phillips, whose landmark $9-million endowment bequest transformed the college. This legacy-giving society represents:
- More than 550 alumni, parents, and friends who have included Bates in their estate plans
- A commitment to preserving the college’s academic excellence and leadership among liberal arts institutions
- Gifts through wills and estate plans have been the single-largest driver of Bates’ endowment growth, ensuring its long-term success.
What you can expect from Phillips Society membership:
- Tokens of appreciation that will remind you of your enduring connection to Bates
- Invitations to special events and receptions
- Recognition in college communications
- Special communications throughout the year
We are grateful for each and every gift that helps ensure that the best of Bates will endure for generations to come.
Class of 1975 Phillip Society Members & Challenge Donors
Classmates who have already joined the Phillips Society or have contributed to the challenge:
- Susan Bourgault Akie *
- Helen M. Mahood (d. 2015)
- Frederick G. Demers *
- Geraldine M. FitzGerald *
- Martha Welbourn Freeman *
- Khin Khin Gyi
- John R. Hester (d. 2021)
- Sandra M. Krot **
- Sarah Risley Pearson *
- Colleen Peterson Seremet **
- Margaret McCann Wilcox P’03, P’09
- Richard C. Zawalich *
* Challenge Donors
* * new Phillips Society members
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a planned gift?
A planned gift is a future commitment to Bates that can be structured through:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Retirement plans
- Life insurance policies
- Gift annuities or charitable trusts
Other gifts to be realized in the future may also qualify, and we welcome your questions about them.
Will my estate gift be counted?
To receive credit for your estate gift, you must:
- Be 70 years old by your 50th Reunion.
- Complete and sign the bequest intention form including an estimated value of your gift.
My estate gift to Bates is contingent because my family are my primary beneficiaries. Can I still join?
Absolutely! Family comes first. Your primary commitment to family is understood, and we welcome discussions about how to structure a gift that works best for your personal circumstances. Making Bates a contingent beneficiary will make you a member of the Phillips Society; however, we will not be able to count or credit you for the estimated value.
May I designate my estate gift to a specific program or initiative at Bates?
Unrestricted gifts allow the College to use your gift where the need is greatest. You may designate your gift to a specific program or an existing endowed fund. Please contact us to ensure that your wishes can be honored.
What happens if I change my estate plan?
Notifying Bates about your intentions is not legally binding. If you make changes that affect your estate gift, please let us know so we can update our records.