The Quiet Power of Giving Year After Year

Every year, press releases from colleges and universities celebrate transformative mega-gifts—the multimillion-dollar endowments, state-of-the-art facilities, and named institutes. Here at Colby, we also celebrate the quiet, enduring commitment of alumni, families, and friends whose consistent annual support sustains the everyday vitality of Mayflower Hill and enriches the experiences of generations of students.

Giving societies play an essential role in sustaining this tradition of generosity at Colby. By recognizing alumni, family, and friends for their ongoing philanthropic commitment, these societies celebrate the collective impact of donors whose loyalty helps strengthen the College and expand opportunities for students.

At Colby, giving societies recognize different degrees of giving, from leadership-level contributions and planned gifts to consistent annual support. Among them is the Aristotle Society, which celebrates donors who have made gifts to the College for three or more consecutive years. These loyal supporters play a vital role in sustaining Colby’s mission and ensuring that opportunities for students continue to grow year after year.

The strength of Colby’s annual giving program lies not only in the generosity of individual gifts, but also in the collective commitment of those who give year after year. While large one-time gifts build facilities, recurring annual gifts keep the campus running. Members of the Aristotle Society demonstrate how consistent support, regardless of gift size, makes a lasting difference in the lives of Colby students.

• Supporting Student Opportunities: Annual gifts provide Colby with flexible resources to respond to evolving needs and enrich the student experience. From financial aid and faculty-student research to athletics and extracurricular activities, this support touches nearly every aspect of life on Mayflower Hill.
• Building a Tradition of Giving: For many alumni, philanthropy begins with a first gift and grows into a lifelong commitment. The Aristotle Society recognizes those who continue that tradition, strengthening their connection to Colby while helping create opportunities for future generations of students.
• Strengthening the Colby Community: Every year of participation represents a renewed investment in the College and its mission. Together, these gifts reflect the enduring relationships between Colby and its alumni, families, and friends, demonstrating the strength of a community committed to supporting one another.

The depth of that commitment is reflected in the remarkable giving histories of Colby’s Aristotle Society members:

• Broad Alumni Engagement: 13 percent of Colby’s total living alumni are Aristotle donors.
• Decades of Loyalty: More than 54 percent of Aristotle donors have given for 21 or more consecutive years.
• Multi-Decade Commitment: 337 donors have given for 41–50 consecutive years.
• Extraordinary Lifetime Dedication: Six donors have given for more than 44 consecutive years.

Behind these numbers are generations of alumni, families, and friends whose continued generosity represents a personal commitment: donors who give year after year often express a deep gratitude for their own student experiences, driven by a shared desire to make meaningful experiences possible for today’s students and those who will follow.

Colby’s giving societies recognize the many ways alumni, families, and friends demonstrate their commitment to the College. Each celebrates a distinct form of generosity, reflecting the different ways donors choose to make a lasting difference.

• 1813 Society: Recognizes donors whose leadership-level annual gifts provide essential support for Colby’s immediate priorities, helping the College respond to emerging needs and expand opportunities to students.
• Aristotle Society: Celebrates donors who have supported Colby for three or more consecutive years, recognizing the loyalty and consistency that strengthen the College year after year.
• Colby Legacy Society: Honors those who have included Colby in their estate plans, helping ensure that future generations of students will benefit from the same educational opportunities.

Together, these three societies show the many ways generosity shapes the Colby experience. Whether through leadership giving, consistent annual support, or a planned gift, each commitment contributes to the College’s continued strength and the opportunities it provides for students.

At the heart of these societies are people who believe in Colby and its future. Their generosity, in all its forms, is a testament to the enduring relationships that make the Colby community so special.