Now, put it on a figure that represents a significant amount of your dispensable holdings (i.e. Give until your wife chases you out the door with an iron skillet). Good. Now we are on the same page. Let a representative of your school make a pledge to you to reward you for life but you have to keep your end of the bargain. You keep your promises and perhaps a little more. Your school changes their mind and rescinds their promises. Great. Now we can have a meaningful discussion. How would you feel? Want to support this reps salary or do you just move on? I'm fairly certain this rep's group is at least partially paid from donations.

I'm not slinging this at you Bostonhokie, just trying to point out the differences between billionaire givers and the middle class giver. We get the tax credits too but we also want our school to do well and therefore would do a little extra to get to the front of the line.

I'm sure most people will make out well with the new plan. I wish VT all the best. In a few weeks this will all blow by. Only a few will remember. Just keep the knowledge that these plans will change again, be generous but please don't go overboard unless you are a billionaire. That way you will never be disappointed.