Furman Announces New Giving and Recognition Societies

Last fiscal year, friends of the university committed more than $31 million in support of Furman’s mission to guarantee every student an unparalleled education that combines classroom learning with real-world experiences and self-discovery. This level of support has led to increased efforts across Furman’s Office of Development to create methods of recognizing and celebrating donors of various giving levels. Today, Jan. 14, Furman announces the launch of the Bell Tower Society, Rose Garden Society and White Oaks Society.

The Bell Tower Society, named after Furman’s iconic campus centerpiece, will be composed of donors who have given $2,500 or more during the previous fiscal year. The Bell Tower Society replaces the President’s Club, The John Plyler Society and the Richard Furman Society and will serve as the university’s only annual giving society.

Invitations to the Bell Tower Society will be extended annually as donors continue to give gifts from one fiscal year to the next. The Office of Development will provide annual renewal reminders to existing members. Bell Tower Society members will receive access to exclusive events and additional recognition based on giving levels. These events and opportunities will allow supporters to network with other donors and celebrate the collective impact every member is providing to Furman students.

“I’m continually blown away by the generosity of the Furman community,” said Director of Annual Giving Gloria Goosby. “Our annual donors are one of the reasons why Furman can provide financial assistance to 100% of students who have a demonstrated financial need. The launch of the Bell Tower Society will allow our office to celebrate and recognize that generosity while also highlighting the immense impact on our students these gifts provide.”

In addition to the annual society, the Rose Garden Society and White Oaks Society have been established to celebrate the cumulative lifetime philanthropy of a donor. The Rose Garden Society is named after Furman’s spectacularly beautiful Janie E. Furman Rose Garden, while the White Oaks Society received its name from the Furman presidential home built in 1957.

Invitations will be extended for donors to join the Rose Garden Society once they have reached $100,000 in lifetime gifts to the university and to the White Oaks Society once they have reached $1,000,000 in gifts.

“The launch of the Rose Garden Society and White Oaks Society is an exciting new step for the entire donor relations team,” shared Director of Donor Relations Rebecca Bilott. “Building a community where individuals who have provided transformational gifts to Furman and its students will allow our team to continually recognize these incredible supporters but, more importantly, allow us to highlight the impact these supporters have on Furman students. Gifts of this magnitude have the ability to completely change the educational, and life, journey for thousands of students over the course of decades. We cannot wait to celebrate that impact and the ripple effect it will have on the communities Furman students lead after graduation.”

Donors who are interested in more information about the Bell Tower Society, Rose Garden Society and White Oaks Society, or those seeking ways to support the success of Furman students can learn more here.