In 1818, Colby’s early faculty and students sailed up the Kennebec on the sloop Hero to start a college, far north of the established centers of higher learning. Many daring moves followed as Colby grew, struggled, and prospered. Today, the spirit of the Hero’s voyage guides our students, faculty, alumni, and staff to continue to dare northward, challenge themselves, and make an impact on the world.
Dare Northward leverages our existing strengths to enhance our students’ experiences, improve their outcomes, and produce generations of leaders to tackle the world’s greatest challenges.
Gifts to the Colby Fund are put to use in real-time to accelerate the pace of progress on our key initiatives and to show the impact of our collective efforts. Giving through the 1813 Society, the Colby Fund for Families, Friends of Athletics, Friends of Art, and other special areas of the Colby Fund, all support this important campaign priority. Make a one-time donation or set up a recurring gift to maximize your impact.
The Colby College Museum of Art is poised to be this country’s preeminent academic art museum and an international destination for the collection, study, and exhibition of American art. With expanded resources, Colby students and the community will have greater opportunities to engage with the institute’s residents and fellows through lectures, symposiums, and research partnerships.
Reunion giving is a special component of the Colby Fund that seeks increased support from members of reunion classes. While celebrating your reunion creates an impetus for increased financial support, the gift also helps strengthen individual and class ties with the College by renewing shared class feelings of pride and loyalty.
Colby Athletics and Recreation is driven by goals and fueled by challenges that require focus, teamwork, and determination.
The Senior Class Gift is a long-standing tradition of the Colby Fund that allows the senior class to give back to Colby in recognition of their time on Mayflower Hill. The Senior Class Gift educates students about the impact of philanthropy and the importance of participation. Join generations of Mules in showing your support for the College.
Capital and endowment gifts enable alumni, parents, and friends to make a permanent difference in the lives of Colby students year after year. They propel the College into the future, help to build and restore campus facilities, and sustain a comprehensive range of academic programs. Endowment opportunities include scholarships, professorships, and funds to support teaching.
Named after the year of Colby’s founding, the 1813 Society is a loyal network of leadership donors who empower Colby to achieve its highest aspirations and to prepare the most talented students to lead in an ever-changing, global landscape. View details below.
A planned gift to Colby is more than a donation. It is an expression of your desire to make a difference—at Colby and in the world—and to leave a lasting legacy. Colby is grateful to alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends who prearrange their special gifts to support the long-term success of the College.
Colby is now a UK-registered charity and has partnered with UK Fund for Charities to make giving easier for our alumni, parents, and friends living in the United Kingdom. Make your gift to Colby today through UK Fund for Charities and take advantage of the government-sponsored Gift Aid program.
Colby strives to make it as easy as possible for donors to make contributions. See below for full details on how to make your gift. Thank you for your support.
- Credit card gifts: Colby accepts American Express, Discover, Visa, and MasterCard. Donors may make one-time gifts or schedule monthly credit card installments.
- Checks:
Address US Postal Service mail to:
Colby College
173 Main Street, Suite 201
Waterville, ME 04901
UPS or FEDEX:
Colby College
4327 Mayflower Hill Waterville, ME
04901
Attn: Advancement
- Colby Fund toll-free line: Call 1-800-311-3678 to charge gifts, to make pledge payments, or to arrange installment payments on your credit card.
- Colby Fund secure website: Visit colby.edu/give to make gifts via Colby’s secure website.
- Visit PayPal to give using your PayPal account.
Colby is a UK-registered charity and has partnered with both the UK Fund for Charities and the CAF American Donor Fund to make giving easier for our alumni, parents, and friends living in the United Kingdom.
Securities are a great vehicle, as donors most often avoid capital gains tax and may be able to claim an income tax deduction as well. Colby accepts many gifts this way annually.
Information for transferring securities:
- DTC: 0235 (RBC Wealth Management)
- Acct.#: 30117442
- Acct. Title: Colby College
- Attn: Scott Smith ’88 Director of Administrative Financial Services
- 207-859-4123
- [email protected]
To ensure proper processing, please notify Scott of your transfer.
Donors 70½ or older may also be interested in a way to lower the income and taxes from IRA withdrawals. An IRA charitable rollover is a way you can help continue our work and benefit this year. Click here for more information.
Did you know you may be able to double the impact of your gift? Search to find out if your employer sponsors a matching gift program. Gifts from employees’ spouses and retirees may also qualify for a match.
Named after the year of Colby’s founding, the 1813 Society is a loyal network of leadership donors who empower Colby to achieve its highest aspirations and to prepare the most talented students to lead in an ever-changing, global landscape. By approaching the world’s most complex challenges with ambition and innovation, Colby sits at the forefront of proving what’s possible.
As the cornerstone of the Colby Fund, the 1813 Society accelerates the pace of progress in real time. Whether you give to Colby as an investment in a place and purpose you believe in or as an expression of gratitude, your gift has a positive impact that ripples outward.
Associates
$2,500 to $4,999*
or $209+ per month
Partners
$5,000 to $9,999
or $417+ per month
Leadership Circle
$10,000 to $24,999
or $834+ per month
Fellows
$25,000 to $49,999
or $2,084+ per month
Cabinet
$50,000 to $99,999
or $4,167+ per month
Founders
$100,000 or more
or $8,334+ per month
*1813 Society giving levels are modified for recent graduates
One to Five Years
Minimum Annual Gift of $250
or $21+ per month
Six to 10 Years
Minimum Annual Gift of $1,000
or $84+ per month
Monthly Giving
Many 1813 Society donors spread out their gift, making their connection to Colby a consistent presence in their lives. Your gift is divided into manageable monthly increments, which allows you to maximize your impact and give at a leadership level.
Why did the President’s Leadership Society evolve into 1813 Society?
As a dedicated and enthusiastic community of supporters and influencers, the President’s Leadership Society set an inspiring example of leadership at the College for decades. In 2017, we rebranded as the 1813 Society to celebrate this community and enhance the possibilities of its impact on students and the world.
Explore the many opportunities for alumni to make a difference in the Colby community.
Figure out where you want your help to go.