Published August 31st, 2026

For over 45 years, the Committee of 500 has stood as a dedicated, all-volunteer nonprofit organization supporting Walla Walla University. Based in College Place, Washington, our members have contributed more than $2.8 million toward tangible projects that directly benefit students, faculty, and the campus community. Through a unique model of systematic giving, each member's $500 annual contribution goes straight to university needs, with nearly no operating costs and a plan to fully eliminate them by 2026. Under the leadership of President Frederick Field, we work alongside the university's efforts in a spirit of partnership, honoring the values of Christian higher education within the Seventh-day Adventist tradition.

This post is designed to answer common questions about how alumni giving through the Committee of 500 works, including membership, the use of donations, voting on projects, and participation in alumni weekend events. Our hope is to provide clarity and build a sense of community for those who share a commitment to supporting the ongoing mission and growth of Walla Walla University.

How Does Alumni Giving Support Christian Higher Education At WWU?

Alumni giving for Christian higher education at Walla Walla University does its best work when it moves from the abstract to the concrete. Through the Committee of 500, contributions are directed to specific projects such as new construction, major renovations, and essential equipment upgrades that students and faculty use every day. Classrooms function better, labs gain safer or more accurate tools, and shared spaces become more welcoming for study, worship, and service.

Since 1979, our volunteer-run nonprofit organization has focused on this kind of tangible support. More than $2.8 million has gone to Walla Walla University projects over more than 45 years, with operating costs historically under 1 percent and planned to reach zero in 2026. That structure keeps the emphasis on stewardship: committee of 500 donations usage is clear, direct, and tied to outcomes that can be seen on campus.

In a Christian university shaped by the Seventh-day Adventist tradition, this kind of giving does more than fill gaps in the budget. It extends the mission by strengthening the places where worship, learning, and service come together. When a lab is updated, a residence hall improved, or a gathering space renewed, it supports the daily experience of faith-informed study and community life. Alumni gifts help keep that mission active for current students, not only as an idea in a mission statement but as a lived reality.

Alumni support also carries a sense of legacy. Systematic giving through Committee of 500 membership at $500 per year creates a pattern of shared responsibility across generations. Members vote together on which projects to fund, often during alumni weekend events, which keeps the focus on collective discernment and accountability rather than individual preference. President Frederick Field and the volunteer board help keep this process orderly and transparent, while the membership's choices guide where funds are applied.

Beyond tuition and fees, alumni contributions signal trust in the long-term calling of Christian higher education. They say that the spiritual and academic formation offered at WWU matters enough to maintain facilities, renew equipment, and prepare spaces that will serve students and faculty who are yet to arrive. That perspective of stewardship and continuity sets the stage for understanding how specific projects are chosen and how member involvement shapes the practical use of each year's WWU donations.

Committee Of 500 Membership Requirements And Benefits

Committee of 500 membership rests on a simple structure that has held steady for decades. Each member contributes $500 per year, typically on a recurring basis, which creates a predictable stream of support for Walla Walla University projects. Because our organization is all-volunteer and has historically kept operating costs under 1 percent, nearly the full weight of that annual gift reaches campus needs, with plans for all funds to go directly to the university starting in 2026.

Membership is open to WWU alumni, family members, and friends who care about Christian higher education in the Seventh-day Adventist tradition. Former students, current or retired employees, and community members who value the university's mission all stand on the same footing as members. There are no tiers, naming levels, or added fees. One membership equals one annual contribution and one vote in the decision process.

Joining follows the same straightforward pattern as the structure itself. A person indicates interest, shares basic contact information, and arranges the $500 annual contribution in a single payment or through a preferred giving schedule. Once that is in place, the individual is counted as a member for the current giving year and included in communication about upcoming votes and activities.

This consistent membership base gives our nonprofit organization a steady pool of funds to allocate each year. Because the contributions are systematic, project planning does not depend on unpredictable campaigns. Instead, members review specific proposals and then vote on distributions, usually during alumni weekend events, which aligns funding with shared priorities.

Member benefits are practical and tied to this structure. Members receive project updates that describe what was funded and how work is progressing. They are invited to gather with other supporters during annual events, where they can hear reports and meet those involved in campus projects. Most importantly, members participate in a democratic voting process that directs the use of the funds they have entrusted, with President Frederick Field and the volunteer board facilitating orderly discussion and clear records of each decision.

Understanding How Committee Of 500 Donations Are Used

Committee of 500 donations follow a direct path from member gifts to specific projects at Walla Walla University. Each year, the full pool of contributions is set aside for campus needs identified in conversation with university leadership, then allocated by member vote. Starting in 2026, when operating costs move to zero, every donated dollar will be passed through to these projects without administrative deductions.

Project ideas usually begin with practical needs on campus. Leadership and department heads outline priorities such as facility improvements, essential equipment, or resources that support student learning and spiritual life. We listen carefully, ask questions about long-term impact, and then work with them to shape a list of proposals that fit the annual funding capacity created by systematic giving through $500 memberships.

Typical projects funded over the years include upgrades to classrooms and laboratories, renovation of shared spaces used for worship or study, and purchase of key equipment that faculty and students depend on daily. At times, members have also supported resources that strengthen student services, such as technology improvements or furnishings that create safer, more functional learning environments. The emphasis stays on tangible items that align with Christian higher education in the Seventh-day Adventist tradition and serve the university community for many years.

Once proposals are prepared, members receive clear descriptions of each option, including the requested amount and intended outcomes. During the annual alumni weekend events, those who are present discuss the proposals, ask final questions, and then vote on which projects to fund and at what levels. Members who follow the process from a distance receive reports and results, so the flow of funds remains transparent.

This member-directed structure has guided more than $2.8 million in support since 1979. It rests on a straightforward principle: those who give together should also decide together. President Frederick Field and our volunteer board keep records, coordinate with university leadership, and ensure that funds are transferred as voted, but the allocation choices belong to the membership.

Committee of 500 Annual Member Voting Rights Explained

Annual voting rights sit at the heart of how we practice shared stewardship. Each active member, defined as a person who has completed the $500 membership contribution for the current giving year, holds one vote. There are no weighted ballots or advisory tallies. Every member stands on equal ground when decisions are made about Walla Walla University support.

The formal vote usually takes place during WWU alumni weekend events. Before that weekend, members receive written descriptions of proposed projects so they can reflect, pray if they wish, and arrive prepared. During the scheduled meeting, President Frederick Field and our volunteer board walk through each proposal, review requested amounts, and invite clarifying questions. After discussion, members cast their votes, often by written ballot, to determine which projects receive funding and at what levels.

This process is simple by design. Only active members vote, and the group's decision directs the full pool of annual contributions. There is no separate committee quietly reallocating funds afterward. Once the vote is complete, we record the results, confirm them with university leadership, and then arrange for funds to be transferred in alignment with the membership's choices.

Member voting shapes the university's physical environment in practical ways. Decisions influence which classrooms are updated first, which shared spaces move forward in renovation, and which equipment purchases take priority. In this way, membership connects individual gifts to visible outcomes. The wwu alumni community involvement that forms around this annual gathering strengthens relationships, builds trust in the process, and keeps our nonprofit organization anchored in transparent, democratic oversight of donated funds.

How Alumni Can Participate in WWU Alumni Weekend Events

WWU alumni weekend events bring together graduates, current students, families, and friends for a concentrated time of connection on and around campus. For our members, this weekend also anchors the annual rhythm of giving, discussion, and shared decision-making that shapes how WWU donations impact specific projects.

Across the weekend, alumni move between familiar settings and new spaces. Campus tours and informal visits offer a chance to see past Committee-funded projects in use, while worship services and academic gatherings highlight the ongoing mission of Seventh-day Adventist education. Many find that simply walking through updated classrooms or shared areas makes the link between past giving and present student experience clear and concrete.

For Committee members, alumni weekend typically includes a scheduled business meeting. During that time, President Frederick Field and our volunteer board share project updates, financial summaries, and proposal details for the coming year. Members ask questions, discuss options, and then participate in the formal vote that directs the annual pool of funds.

Alongside the business agenda, we host simple social gatherings where alumni, members, and prospective members can talk face to face. These conversations often reconnect classmates, introduce younger graduates to long-serving supporters, and strengthen the WWU alumni network in ways that extend beyond financial giving. In that setting, participation becomes shared fellowship as well as shared stewardship, preparing the way for ongoing support of Christian higher education long after the weekend ends.

For more than 45 years, the Committee of 500 has stood as a dedicated, all-volunteer nonprofit supporting Walla Walla University with over $2.8 million donated to projects that make a real difference on campus. Under the steady guidance of President Frederick Field, our members enjoy the unique opportunity to vote on how every dollar is used, ensuring transparent stewardship and direct impact. With plans to eliminate operating costs entirely by 2026, every contribution will go straight to campus improvements that strengthen Christian higher education in the Seventh-day Adventist tradition. Becoming part of the Committee of 500 means joining a caring community committed to systematic giving, shared responsibility, and the continued growth of WWU. We warmly invite you to learn more about membership and how your involvement can help shape the future of this cherished university in College Place, Washington.