We are counting on your support and help!

Letter to all the students of UWC

May, 2003

Ciao a Tutti!

Welcome to the new United World College of the Adriatic alumni website. We're thrilled that this site is up and running, providing us with a means to reconnect with each other and remain in touch with students and teachers at the College today.

For many of us, the past few years have seen our first College reunions. The energy over the short reunion period was high and contagious. It was fantastic to see each other again after all these years; to reconnect, catch up and re-ignite old friendships.

The reunions were also an occasion to recognize that despite our different approaches to life, we have all shared a common experience - our time in DUINO. For the vast majority of us this experience was a fundamental and positive one and one that continues to shape how we think about the world we live in.

This recognition made many of us realize that it was important for us to give back to the College. What would be the appropriate, most effective and useful way through which we as alumni can help the College? What would be the best use of our time, talents and energy? How could we ensure that the College continued to be a place where students, like us, can grow and develop beyond what is simply learned from books.

At the end of the discussion, we realized that there are many ways that we can give back to the College. One could get involved with the national student networks; participate in the national selection committees; sponsor internships; provide students who are away from home with a place to stay over breaks; help students get into universities or simply use our network to make a difference in our communities.

After much deliberation, one idea that made the most sense in which all Alumni can make a difference immediately, is the UWCAD Endowment Fund.


College Finances
The College is a not-for-profit organization. Currently, 70 percent of the budget comes from a variety of Italian national and regional sources. The College receives little to no funding from the international UWC movement, and only about 8 percent of funding comes from National committees. In 2002, due to legislative changes, there was a 13 percent decrease in Italian government financial support to the College.

In addition, UWCAD is committed to a merit based admissions policy, which means the College does not accept tuition contributions from current students. This is different from many other UWC colleges. To date, alumni funding for UWCAD is at 1 percent annually - amongst the lowest across all UWCs.

The UWCAD Endowment Fund was originally created in 1996 by the Italian Students' Network and the Adriatic College to make contributions of lasting significance. To date we have raised 160 000 Euros.


Endowment Goal
With this on-line re-launch, we want to raise Euro 5 million over the next 15 years. An endowment of Euro 5 million, will allow us to sponsor 10 scholarships per year indefinitely. We believe that we can reach our goal if each of us commits to give at least Euro 85 per year. Our contributions will help 10 young people to spend time at UWCAD and share an experience that will transform them forever.


What you can do
We are also encouraging alumni to reach out and spearhead specific fund drives. The 89/90 and 90/91 generations have committed to raising enough money to provide the UWCAD Endowment Fund with the equivalent of one full scholarship. In addition, two alumni have agreed to match Euro for Euro each contribution made by the 89/90 and 90/91 generations. If each generation from UWCAD can find creative ways to encourage each and every person to donate, you can see, how quickly we can achieve our Euro 5 million goal.

We are also looking at external sources of funding such as Foundations and Philanthropic organizations. Our ability to do this successfully is dependent on our contributions as ex-students. One of the first questions that potential external donors ask is "What percentage of the alumni contribute?" Donors use the number of alumni who contribute as a sign of the College's lasting positive impact on those who attend it and the level of alumni's support to the school. Our goal with the UWCAD Endowment Fund is to get every ex-student to contribute, however small the contribution may be.

We have made this process as easy as possible by creating an online payment system which is secure and tested. If you are resident in the US, in the UK or in Italy, your gift will be tax deductible.

Our goal is to get every ex-student to contribute. We know that if each one of us gives, we can achieve a lasting impact. So spread the word, let us know if you have other ideas but most of all GIVE. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any one of us below.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from each of you over the next months.


Sincerely,

Shivani Kannabhiran (AD 89-91) skannabhiran@admin.bcny.org
Patrik Muzila (AD 90-92)
Shub Debgupta (AD 89-91) shub_debgupta@hotmail.com
Rebecca Manley (AD 90-92)