Questions about the Challenge
When did the new Crown Challenge start?
The new Crown Challenge began on July 1, 2009 and will run until June 30, 2013. The College's fiscal year reflects the academic year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30.
Why has the Crown Challenge changed?
Last year, the Crown Challenge encouraged the participation of all alumni as a group. For the duration of the Challenge, Steve will honor alumni for their individual contributions in order to better recognize the individual importance of every CMCer.
Who is Steve Crown?
Steve is an alumnus of CMC. He received his B.A. in Psychology and Economics in 1974. He lives outside of Chicago with his wife Nancy and is General Partner at Henry Crown & Company.
Why is Steve doing this?
In the thirty-five years since Steve graduated from CMC, he's learned a few things:
1. Every CMCer matters. CMC is a small community, but together, Claremont McKenna alumni have worked together to build a great College. Steve wants to recognize everyone who commits to the goal of keeping CMC strong.
2. Giving inspires. Steve hopes the honorary gift he'll make in recognition of your support will encourage you and others to help out.
3. Supporting the College is an ongoing mission. Steve knows how important it is that alumni support the Fund for CMC every year. That's why the Crown Challenge honors not just generosity, but consistency. Steve's honorary gifts increase in size as you make gifts in future years of the Crown Challenge. If you give for the next four years, Steve will make yet another gift to recognize your thorough devotion to CMC.
I plan to give to CMC for the next four years. Is there any additional benefit to that?
Yes. When you commit to the full four years of the Crown Challenge, Steve will make an additional gift honoring your first year of the Crown Challenge.
For example:
If you commit to making a James Madison Society gift ($300) each year, Steve will make a $300 in honor of your first gift this year, and then another $300 honoring your commitment to constant support. That would bring a total gift to CMC of $900 this year. You can make this commitment securely by credit card via CMC's giving page, or by calling the Office of Annual Giving at (909)-607-3676, or toll-free at 1-800-GIVE-2-CMC.
Is that it?
No. Steve also wants to recognize consistent support. So even if you give at the same level for all four years of the Challenge, Steve's gifts in your honor will increase in size each year.
You can click here to see a full chart detailing the gifts Steve intends to make.
I give a Jack Stark Society gift ($150) ever year. Why should I give more?
Alumni support CMC at every level, and they are all important sources of strength for the College. But Steve is calling this a "challenge" for a reason. If you give more, Steve gives more.
For example:
If you give $150 again this year, Steve will honor that with a gift of $150. But if you increase your gift to $300, so will Steve, with an honorary gift of $300. That's $600 to CMC because of your gift.
If my company matches my gift, will Steve recognize me for my company's gift?
Yes. CMC recognizes you for gifts your employer makes on your behalf, and so will Steve.
Will Steve match stocks or securities I give to CMC?
Yes. Stock gifts are sold on their day of contribution to CMC. The exact amount of a stock gift to CMC is calculated as the mean of the stock's high and low on that day. Steve's gift will reflect that gift amount as well.
Will Steve make a gift even if I'm not sure I can give for the next four years?
Yes. Steve will make a gift every year you give. Even if you can't help CMC next year, Steve will honor the support you offer today.
If I give this year, and then not again until 2013, will Steve still make a gift because of me?
Yes. Each year you give during the Crown Challenge, Steve will make a gift. So if your first gift is in 2010, and your second gift is in 2013, Steve will make a total of two gifts in your honor.
What is the smallest amount I can give that Steve will honor with a gift?
Steve wants to honor every alumnus who supports CMC. For every alumnus who contributes a gift smaller than a Jack Stark Society contribution ($150), Steve will honor that support with a gift of $50. But Steve is calling this a "challenge" for a reason. If you give more, Steve gives more.
You can also click here to see a full chart detailing the gifts Steve intends to make.
Can I get a tax deduction from Steve's gift?
Unfortunately, no. For your records, however, we will issue you a gift receipt with the amount of your gift to the College, so that you can take full advantage of your tax deduction.
Does the Crown Challenge apply to graduating seniors?
Yes. The Crown Challenge extends to graduating seniors who pledge to give for the full four years. CMC seniors are very generous, with recent Senior Class Gifts having over 95% participation. Steve wants to honor these alumni who do so much for the College at the very beginning of their post-college lives.
Does the Crown Challenge apply to parents?
Steve knows how important parent support is to CMC, but the Crown Challenge is just for alumni. Of course, if you're a parent who went to CMC yourself, then of course you're still eligible.
Can I designate what CMC does with my gift?
Yes. Most alumni give to the Alumni Fund, which supports the College's sources of greatest need, principally financial aid and scholarships. If you would like to designate your gift for something else, you can do so when making your gift.
Can I designate Steve's gift?
Sorry, no. That's up to Steve.
Why is annual giving important?
The most consistent difference between America's great and mediocre colleges is that the best institutions receive support from their alumni. Your gift to the Fund for CMC provides vital and immediate support to the College, and it helps to ensure that our academic departments and programs, our athletic teams and research institutes get the funds they need to provide a college experience of the highest quality.
What is the Fund for CMC?
The Fund for CMC is comprised of the Alumni Fund, the Parents Fund, and the annual giving of other friends of the College. Together, these gifts constitute the single largest source of annual support the College receives.
I have a question, but it wasn't answered here. Who can I talk to?
You can call the Office of Annual Giving at (909) 607-3676, or email your question to FundforCMC@cmc.edu
Anneke Jong '05 is taking
The Crown Challenge
At CMC, Anneke learned to seize opportunities. In the past, she has supported the College as a member of the James Madison Society with an annual gift of $300. Read More
