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Visit the new TFAS Shop! Buy TFAS t-shirts, sweatshirts, waterbottles and more - just in time for the Holiday season! 

CLICK HERE to view the TFAS Shop.
All net proceeds will benefit the Alumni Scholarship Fund, providing college students with scholarships to attend TFAS programs.

As 2009 comes to a close, alumni are being asked to help meet the challenge grant pledged by TFAS Regent Lyn Rales, who will match alumni gifts dollar for dollar through year end. 



This year we have a significantly larger need for support of the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Given cutbacks in financial aid and tightened student loan programs, students have an increased need for scholarships. 2009 has been challenging for TFAS in terms of our fundraising efforts and our ability to continue all of our top quality programs. In fact, a few programs have been either scaled back or eliminated due to the weak economy, smaller gifts and reduced budgets. 



Therefore, we are asking TFAS alumni to rise to the challenge and give back to The Fund.



This month each Institute class from ICPES 1970 through the classes of 2009 will be challenged to compete for the designation of "top giving classes," which will be determined by percentage of alumni who contribute and total amount given. Take the TFAS class challenge and contribute today by clicking HERE .


James Meadows (E 73) has given his class a jumpstart by pledging $3,500 to "buy" 10 bricks at the TFAS Center for Teaching Freedom. Dozens of other alumni have bought bricks, including most recently John Sweda (E 91), John DuMoulin (E 90, B 91), Mike Richitelli (B 94) and Patrick Crumb (E 84). Ming Yang (HK 02) is coordinating an effort to bundle the gifts of Chinese alumni to support the Alumni Scholarship Fund.

CLICK HERE to visit our Alumni Scholarship Fund webpage and learn how your support can make a difference.

Interested in donating to the Alumni Scholarship Fund (ASF) by buying a brick but afraid that student loans and other post-grad payments are getting in the way? Combine your gifts with your TFAS friends and buy a brick together! 



Just in case you need some inspiration to get your friends together to donate, check out what the 2009 class of Leadership Fellows recently decided to do. 



The Leadership Fellows Program is a year-long networking and education program in D.C. which is designed to develop young leaders with a shared commitment to helping improve public policy.



At their last retreat of the year in Old Town, Va., the Fellows handed over their checks, totaling $350, to program director Shane Goldsmith-Mazzella with a note that said the following: 



"Thank you for all you have done to provide an educational and networking experience for us. We are truly appreciative! You have made a mark on us, so in return we would like to donate $350 for a brick in the name of 2009 Leadership Fellows."



When asked why the Fellows decided to get a brick together, 2009 Fellow Erika Liliedahl (P 99), said, "The brick idea was a no-brainer. It was only right to thank TFAS for this experience. That level of funding ($350) is probably not something that young alumni can typically offer TFAS, but as a group is very achievable. I hope this ignites other alumni groups to do the same!"



And of course, combining gifts for a brick is not just for TFAS friends – families who have all attended an institute are also encouraged have their names represented at the Center for Teaching Freedom, as well. 



You can reserve your brick and order your message through this convenient web form. On your brick, you can inscribe three lines with 18 characters each. You can also contact alumni@tfas.org should you have any questions at all. 



Remember that when you donate to ASF before December 31, 2009, all gifts by alumni will be matched dollar for dollar by Board of Regents member Lyn Rales. Thanks to this matching challenge, alumni gifts will have double the impact. 



*ASF ensures that outstanding students of all means will be able to attend TFAS Institutes, will help TFAS to continue to develop innovative educational programs, including continuing education opportunities for alumni such as the 2009 Leadership Fellows Program. If you are interested in becoming a 2010 Fellow, CLICK HERE.

Earlier this month, total giving to the Alumni Scholarship Fund surpassed $38,000. With several significant gifts this month, including $1,500 from Traci Leonardo (J 93), we are making progress towards our goal of $100,000 in gifts from 900 alumni.

Many alumni have chosen to designate their gifts to a specific TFAS Institute. Others are contributing towards endowed scholarships funds, such as those named after Professor George Viksnins, or the late Kevin Burket (E 85)

All gifts by alumni are being matched dollar for dollar by Board of Regents member Lyn Rales. Thanks to this matching challenge, alumni gifts will have double the impact.

Increasing numbers of alumni are joining our Bricks and Mortar Club by contributing $350. These contributors will have their names inscribed on a brick at the entrance to the new TFAS Center for Teaching Freedom. New members of the Bricks and Mortar Club include: Steven A. Hemmat (E 81) , Richard M. Oakley (E 84), Michelle A. Le (J 95, A 96), Kyle Hybl (E 91, A 93) and David McCabe (E 77).

You can reserve your brick and order your message on it through this convenient web form – CLICK HERE. On your brick, you can inscribe three lines with 18 characters each.

Steve Slattery, vice president for programs at TFAS commented, “We have some of the most loyal and enthusiastic alumni imaginable, so I am pleased that they will be getting much deserved recognition for their support through the Bricks and Mortar Club.”

Thank you to the more than 100 alumni who attended Alumni Reunion! Watch video highlights below:

Be a permanent part of TFAS history by having your name inscribed on a brick at the entrance to the new Center for Teaching Freedom. This special recognition is available to those who contribute $350 or more to the Building Future Leaders Campaign. Give today and be one of the first members of the TFAS Bricks & Mortar Club.

Keep an eye on your mailbox this month, as the new brochure about the Alumni Scholarship Fund will soon arrive.  This 10-panel brochure explains how your support will help TFAS continue to develop innovative educational programs, including continuing education opportunities for alumni.  Read about the new TFAS Center for Teaching Freedom, a state-of-the-art facility for teaching, learning, and student life.  And find out how you can be permanently recognized in this new building by supporting the Building Future Leaders campaign.

Alumni who give to TFAS will see their gifts double automatically – thanks to a matching gift from Lynn Rales, a member of the TFAS Board of Regents. Your $100 gift will instantly become $200; your $500 gift will double to $1,000. No matter what amount you give, your gift’s impact doubles thanks to this matching gift. Take advantage of this tremendous giving opportunity by making your gift today.