We set goals that we think are ambitious, but we weren't sure we could continue the phenomenal growth we had last year. Paula Olsiewski, '79, chair of the Alumni Fund Board, says every dollar counts. The Fund owes some of its success to a strong economy, but Garvin says that's not the whole story. Technology is hot, MIT is hot, and philanthropy is cool. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to Paula Olsiewski '79, chair of the Alumni Fund Board.
Every dollar counts.
Most of the people who give to the Alumni Fund are not in a position to give a gigantic gift, but if you start adding them up, suddenly it's a lot of scholarships or fellowships. Strong Alumni Fund participation is one reason MIT is able to attract very large gifts, says Olsiewski. People want to give to a winner.