Seriously. Tell them *exactly* how much it means to you, in a way that will make them sit up and listen.
As alumni and potential donors, we're in a unique position to impact the campus movement to divest from fossil fuels. Tell your alma mater that if they're investing in fossil fuels, you're NOT investing in them. Send them a check, but with some very specific strings:
1) Sign up.
Let us know which school you went to, and commit to donate to your alma mater *if* they divest from fossil fuels. Wherever possible we'll also connect you with divestment organizers on campus.
2) Print & Post.
Once you sign up, we'll provide a handy template letter that you can customize & mail with your check. Our letter makes it clear: this donation is *only* to be accepted under the condition that your alma mater divest from fossil fuels. Take a photo of yourself holding your letter, and post it on social media with the hashtag #donors4divestment.
3) Write & Send.
Write a check for the amount you *would* donate & send it to your alma mater, along with your letter. This sends a clear message to university administrations everywhere: alumni support fossil fuel divestment, and they're ready to tie donation dollars to that conviction.
Sign your campus' petition. Hundreds of campuses around the country are actively campaigning for fossil fuel divestment. Sign your alma mater's petition and connect with student activists on the ground. Click here to find your school.No petition yet? Consider starting one.
Write a letter or oped for your campus newspaper. We want to spark an open discussion on campuses across the country about the morality of investing in fossil fuel companies. You can play a key role in that debate by publishing a letter or oped in your former college’s newspaper. We don’t have a directory of all the papers, but with a quick Google search, you should be able to find your campus paper and an email or form to submit a letter or oped. Click here for sample letters to the editor, tips on writing an op-ed, and talking points about fossil fuel divestment.
Write a letter to your alma mater. As you know from all the fundraising letters you’ve probably received, your college is interested in your “input.” Sending a personal letter to the college President or Board of Trustees urging the school to divest is a great first step to help put the issue on the map for the administration. Click here for a template letter to your school's President or Board. (.docx)
Start a divestment Facebook page for alumni of your alma mater. Remember to share whatever you do with your friends online. Facebook makes it easy to track down old college friends; let them know what you’re up to and encourage them to join the campaign. A Facebook page or group can be a great way to connect people and keep them updated. Here's a great example page that some Middlebury alums put together.
Want more ideas for alumni activism? Click here.