For Cumberland School of Law to become financially self-sufficient in critical program areas over the next five years, we must raise $10 million. The 5 in Five Campaign will raise $2 million dollars in each of five program areas—advocacy and competitions, clinics, a civil rights center, a pipeline for first generation and underrepresented students, and a land use and natural resources center. The corpus of these endowments will never go away, and the interest generated each year will support a programmatic legacy that will dramatically impact our students, our community and the legal profession.
Advocacy and Competition Programs
To improve our nationally ranked advocacy program, Cumberland School of Law’s needs are greater than just sending students to competitions. Our needs aim to ensure that we can sustain the success of our program that focuses on preparing practice ready lawyers. That sustainability will be achieved by supporting our coaches, providing advocacy programming to the legal community, expanding our advocacy course offerings and hosting signature advocacy events to highlight the talent and strength of our program.
Clinical Programs
Clinics offer our students invaluable opportunities to receive practical legal experience while serving our community. Unlike most law schools, Cumberland School of Law does not have a permanent source of funding for our clinics, which is crucial to continuing and expanding these opportunities for our students and our community.
Civil Rights Center
Birmingham is the birthplace of the civil rights movement. Funding for a Civil Rights Center will set Cumberland School of Law apart by making it the go-to law school for those interested in addressing past and emerging civil rights issues.
Cumberland Connection Program
Funding for a Cumberland Connection Program will allow Cumberland School of Law the ability to expand its applicant pool by developing a formal pipeline for first generation and underrepresented undergraduate students, both diversifying our student body and providing opportunities to those who don’t yet know that practicing law is within their reach.
Land Use and Natural Resources Law Center
Alabama is a state rich in forest, water and other critical natural resources. A Land Use and Natural Resources Law Center at Cumberland School of Law will allow the school and our faculty and students to engage directly in legal and policy work related to land use and natural resources management
Other Ways to Support
We gratefully accept outright gifts, gifts of stock and bequests of any size and are happy to discuss any questions you may have. Thank you for your support and philanthropic commitment in writing the next chapter in the history of Cumberland School of Law!
Bishop Society
In 2017, Cumberland School of Law launched the Bishop Society, named for long-time professor and dean, Thomas Brad Bishop ’61, JD ’71. Since its inception, the purpose of the Bishop Society has been to collectively gather contributions to provide scholarship support and public interest fellowships to deserving law students, upgrade technology and law school facilities, support the preparation and travel of Cumberland’s trial and other teams, and support faculty research. Thanks to Professor Bishop’s generosity of spirit and dedication to Cumberland, and member contributions, the Bishop Society will continue to support aspiring legal students attend Cumberland School of Law and thrive in their law school experiences.
Alternate Designation Options
- A.G. Gaston Scholarship in Law
- Cambridge Study Abroad Annual Scholarship
- Center for Advocacy Training
- Center for Children, Law and Ethics
- Class of 1985 Scholarship
- Cumberland Fund
- Clinical Programs
- Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
- Georgia Alumni Endowed Scholarship
- Jere F. White Jr. Fellowship
- North Carolina Alumni Endowed Scholarship
How to Give
Giving Online
Giving online is an easy way to make a gift to Cumberland School of Law. There are many funds to designate your gift.
Giving by Mail
Cumberland School of Law
Attention: Anne Marovich, Senior Advancement Officer
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
Giving by Pledge
By making a pledge, you can make a significant impact to Cumberland School of Law and its mission to educate competent well-rounded lawyers.
Making an Annual Gift
Annual giving is critical to providing Cumberland School of Law with budget-relieving resources. The fiscal year ends June 30 of each year.
Estate Planning and Bequests
With a planned giving strategy, you can put your assets to work for any part of Cumberland School of Law you choose. To ensure your goals are met, we invite you to contact Anne Marovich, senior advancement officer (205-726-2443) to learn more.
Stock Gifts
Thank you for your interest in gifting securities to support Cumberland School of Law. Your wise market investment is a wonderful gift. By donating appreciated stock, you can avoid long-term capital gains tax and deduct the full market value on your tax return.
To transfer stocks, please provide the following details to your brokerage firm then contact Doug Wilson, assistant vice president for university advancement, at 205-726-4266 to inform Samford of the amount (dollars or shares), stock name and desired use of funds.
Brokerage Firm
Northern Trust DTC
Clearing #2669
Account #26-38462
If requested, Samford’s EIN number is 63-0312914
For cash wire transfers, contact Ian Schwarting, Accounting and Financial Services, 205-726-4536.
