Giving Societies

The President's Council

The President's Council consists of three circles designed to recognize leadership gifts that support the vision of the President and mission of Springfield College on an annual basis. Gifts recognized by the Council range from $5,000 to $25,000 or more in a single fiscal year. These levels are:

Appleton Circle: $25,000 or more

Named for Julius H. Appleton who was a member of the College's founding group. His descendants have continued their involvement with the College for well over a century. The succeeding generations of Appletons have become the largest single donor family in the history of Springfield College. Appleton's grandson and namesake, Julius H. Appleton, served as a College trustee for more than fifty years. His widow, Louise B. Appleton, was named an honorary trustee in 1993 for her commitment and loyalty to the institution.

Doggett Circle $10,000 to $24,999

Named for Laurence Locke Doggett, who became the first full-time president for Springfield College in 1896. By the time of his retirement in 1936, Doggett had established Springfield College as an institution with a worldwide reach, and transformed the College from one with a pioneer quality that had first attracted him to one that is a mature institution of higher learning.

Gulick Circle $5,000 to $9,999

Named for Luther Halsey Gulick, an early faculty member and second head of the Physical Education Department at Springfield College. Gulick is known as the father of modern recreation, as co-founder with his wife of the Camp Fire Girls of America, and as the designer of the College emblem - the inverted triangle - symbolizing the unity of the individual spirit, mind, and body. The same inverted triangle was subsequently adopted by the International YMCA.

David Allen Reed

The David Allen Reed Society consists of three circles designed to recognize gifts from individuals ranging from $1,000 to $4,999 in a single fiscal year (except for the First Decade Circle). These levels are:

Morgan Circle ($2,500 to $4,999)

• Named after William Morgan, class of 1894, who invented volleyball while working for the Holyoke, Massachusetts YMCA in 1895.

Reed Circle ($1,000 to $2,499)

• Named for the founding president of Springfield College who, in 1885, launched the institution, (then known as the School for Christian Workers), with an entering class of 18 students. Reed was a visionary who was deeply interested in the training of education of lay workers for churches and YMCAs. David Allen Reed's goal of creating a "great university" inspired and set the course the College has followed throughout its history.

First Decade Circle

• Young alumni within their first ten years of graduation may participate at a leadership level by increasing their giving annually in $100 increments from the time of their graduation.

To become a member of the David Allen Reed Society, please contact Springfield College's Office of Development at 1.800.622.6072.

Other Giving Clubs:

• Massasoit Club - $500 to $999
• Heritage Club - $250 to $499
• Century Club - $100 to $249
• Pride Club - All gifts up to $99

Lifetime Giving Societies

The Naismith Society

Named in honor of James A. Naismith who, in 1891, invented the game of basketball, transforming the lives of children and adults across the world. Membership in the Naismith Society is reserved for those who share in Springfield College's commitment to creating great ideas and changing the world for future generations. This commitment is demonstrated support of the mission of the College over a lifetime with contributions of $1 million or more.

The 1885 Society

Recognizes members of the Springfield College community who have included the College in their planned giving such as a charitable gift annuity, gifts of life insurance, or inclusion in their will.