Dear Fellow Ball State Parents,

Do you ever worry whether your son or daughter has what he or she needs at college?  Do you hope that there is somewhere for them to turn if they need financial help in an emergency so that they can remain at Ball State?

Gifts from parents like you to the Parents Fund grants emergency financial assistance to students.  The Parents Fund is supported entirely by donations and is outside the university's general fund.  Your gifts are used to support the following programs:

• The Student Emergency aid Fund grants emergency financial assistance to students.  At some time we all have faced an illness or other unexpected crisis, and these funds may make the difference for a students being able to stay enrolled at Ball State.  Funds may be distributed as grants or loans depending on the financial circumstance.
• Leadership Scholarships helps the university attract top students by targeting students not supported by other scholarships.
• Late Nite is a popular weekend activity program that offers students safe and wholesome entertainment.  These activities cultivate friendships and foster campus involvement.

On behalf of the Parents Advisory Council, please consider making a gift to the Parents Fund to support these very worthwhile programs.  Last year more than 2587 families donated a total of $61,590 to the Fund.  With your help, we hope to exceed that amount this year.

You can make your gift in the following ways:  1) complete the enclosed gift card and return it in the next few weeks, 2) make your gift online at www.bsu.edu/giving, or 3) wait for a telephone call from a Ball State caller.  Please remember that all gifts to Ball State University are deductible in accordance with state and federal tax laws and Indiana taxpayers may earn credit on their tax returns.  Please indicate if your employer offers a matching gift program and Ball State will benefit even more.  The university also accepts gifts of stock and real property.

Any level of support you can give to the Parents Fund will be greatly appreciated.  You are a vital part of the Ball State family, and with your assistance, we can work together to keep these valuable programs available for our sons and daughters.

Thank you.

Sincerely,                                                                           

Tom Whitehead                                                 Cindy Whitehead
Parents Advisory Council                                   Parents Advisory Council