Bennington is deeply grateful for all the ways in which alumni support the College by engaging in its ongoing life. Some alumni participate in formal volunteer programs, while others share their time and talents informally, working closely with the College on a single event or activity. Bennington values, and needs, all kinds of participation.
Volunteer Groups
- The Alumni Cooperative is a core group of volunteers who seek to provide Bennington alumni with opportunities to engage with one another and the life of the College today.
- The Next Pioneers are alumni from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s dedicated to helping maintain the educational excellence and integrity of the College through their participation in the Associates Society and/or the Silo Society.
- The Philanthropy Task Force is one of three working groups of the Board of Trustees, comprised of a selection of trustees and alumni committed to advancing Bennington’s ambitious philanthropic goals.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
- Events: The College organizes alumni events in major metropolitan areas across the country. You can help by brainstorming programming ideas, locating venues, building interest among alumni, providing funding, hosting the event in your home, or serving on a committee.
- Admissions: First, talk up Bennington to anyone you meet! Other opportunities include: representing Bennington at a college fair, talking with accepted students, and hosting a “summer send-off” for incoming freshmen in your area.
- Mentoring: Become a mentor for graduating seniors and alumni, or return to campus to participate in the College’s senior year programming.
- Fundraising: In addition to making a gift of your own, you can write or sign letters soliciting fellow alumni, offer a testimonial that makes the case for supporting Bennington, or organize reunion class gifts.
- Alumni groups: Groups of alumni often form organically out of the alumni body—around an interest, within a region—and the College can help formalize, support, and strengthen these communities by providing alumni lists, publicizing events, and supplying “tool kits” for events.