Emory University Telefund FAQs
1. Emory's tuition and endowment are so high; why do they need more money?
2. Emory can only use large donations; how could my gift make a difference?
3. Is it safe to give credit card information over the phone to Telefund?
4. Why does the Telefund call Emory Alumni, Parents, and Friends?
5. Why is the Telefund calling me again when I just donated recently?
6. I like to decide an amount after receiving a pledge letter in the mail; why does Telefund need to know a specific amount over the phone?
7. I'm on the Federal Do Not Call List; why is the Telefund Calling me?
8. Why are Telefund calls made during the evenings and weekends?
9. Why does the Telefund call repeatedly without leaving a voice-mail or answering machine message?
10. Who makes the Telefund calls?
1. Emory's tuition and endowment are so high; why do they need more money?
Emory is fortunate to have a substantial endowment. However, less than 20 percent
of
Emory's budget is obtained from here as much of this money is held in restricted
trusts or reserved for specific accounts. Also, as only the yearly interest earned
is used (so as to allow the principle to build), the endowment would have needed
an extra $90 million in order to generate the same amount in interest as that
raised by the Annual Fund last year.
Tuition only covers about 60 percent of the entire cost of an Emory education.
Many people don't realize that alumni have always supported the Annual Fund
to
help
defray the cost of rising tuition.
Annual Fund dollars go immediately back to the students by providing scholarships,
improving technology, and helping to provide that extra 40 percent of tuition,
among other great needs. Regardless of size, your support is important and does
make
a difference to the students of Emory.
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2. Emory can only use large donations; how could my gift make a difference?
Your belief in Emory shows by the simple fact that you're contributing, and that's what helps keep our programs strong. Also, the alumni participation rate is so important because it is one of the measures used by U.S.
News and World Report to rank institutions. The reasoning behind its inclusion is that financial contributions reflect graduates' satisfaction with their university. By keeping Emory's ranking up, you're making current students, as well as yourself, more marketable in the job market by adding value to the Emory degree!
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3. Is it safe to give credit card information over the phone to Telefund?
The reason we place gifts on credit cards is because it helps maximize your gift! By placing a gift on a credit card, it helps to cut down on the administrative and processing costs of sending you a pledge packet that would include the envelope, letter, return envelope, and postage both ways.
We completely understand concerns about credit card security. Our callers key your credit card information into a secure database that is only used by Telefund. This information is directly transferred to the Emory Alumni and Development Records Office where it is processed and your credit card is charged. Your credit card information is not stored or saved anywhere after it is processed so you will be asked for this information again every year.
If you are ever concerned about giving your credit card to someone claiming to be calling from the Emory Telefund, there are a few things you can do to be safe:
- Ask the caller for the phone number of the Telefund Director (404.727.5707) and ask to be scheduled for a call back in a few days. You may then call the Telefund Director Sunday - Thursday during the hours of 8:30 - 5:30 p.m. EST. They will confirm through our computer records if you were in fact called from the Emory Telefund.
- Ask the caller for Emory specific information such as dates for Homecoming, Emory Weekend, special events on campus and around the nation or major campus buildings.
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4. Why does the Telefund call Emory Alumni, Parents, and Friends?
The Telefund is the single most effective way to reach the largest number of people in the shortest period of time. It is one area within Annual Giving that provides the University with an opportunity to communicate personally with alumni, parents, and friends once a year. The main goals of each call are to keep everyone connected with current students, to promote events on campus as well as around the nation, to thank donors and to increase annual support.
The Telefund program makes the majority of its calls during the academic year (September - May). The money raised supports scholarships, academic programs, the libraries, athletics, faculty recruitment, capital improvements, operations and special projects. Alumni, parents, and friends may designate their gifts to any established fund they choose.
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5. Why is the Telefund calling me again when I just donated recently?
Emory operates on a fiscal year that coincides with our academic schedule (September 1st - August 31st). Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to group those we call according to the time of year they donate. However, if you would like to designate your pledge during your call, we can wait to charge your credit card or send you a pledge reminder at any time before the end of our fiscal year on August 31st. By specifying your minimum pledge amount now, it will save you from having to receive any more phone calls or mailings as well as allow the University to start allocating funds immediately.
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6. I like to decide an amount after receiving a pledge letter in the mail; why does Telefund need to know a specific amount over the phone?
Emory starts planning its budget for funding needs in advance. By agreeing to a specified minimum amount now, it helps determine how much money will be received so that allocation of funds can begin immediately! You may always increase the amount you wish to give at a later date. Specifying an amount is also encouraging to our students as it confirms that you are serious about supporting Emory and allows them to see the progression on achieving our goals.
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7. I'm on the Federal Do Not Call List; why is the Telefund Calling me?
The Emory Telefund is classified as a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization as every dollar we raise goes directly back to Emory students! All charitable and non-profit organizations are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry. We hope that through the reduction in calls for services and products, you will be more open to calls from Emory that not only serve to benefit the students but also try to keep you connected with events going on around campus as well as the nation.
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8. Why are Telefund calls made during the evenings and weekends?
Our calling is restricted to calling residential as opposed to work place phone numbers. Most of those that we call tend to be home in the evenings and on the weekends. This also allows for our student callers to balance their job around their class schedule.
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9. Why does the Telefund call repeatedly without leaving a voice-mail or answering machine message?
We work through a computer system that automatically schedules a call back if there is no answer or the call goes to a messaging system. We apologize if this is disturbing. However, once someone answers the phone and we have determined if you will or will not be giving this year, you will be removed from the calling system for the remainder of the year.
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10. Who makes the Telefund calls?
The callers at the Emory Telefund are comprised entirely of Emory students. The number of student callers ranges anywhere from 80-120 depending on the time of year. All calls from our Student Callers are specifically to Emory Alumni, Parents, and Friends. Through calling, students can directly connect with this special group of individuals as well as help raise the much needed funds that will have a direct benefit to them and the rest of their fellow students.
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For more information or questions, please contact Denise Adeniyi, Program Development Coordinator at denise.adeniyi@emory.edu or 404.727.5707.
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