Those who rank colleges in terms of their quality tend to view alumni support as a measure of alumni satisfaction. Corporations and foundations, when considering gifts and grants, often look for evidence that the college maintains a broad base of support. In the 1999 college rankings by U.S. News and World Report, Macalester is 25th overall in reputation among 159 national colleges, but is 71st in alumni giving. A gift to the Annual Fund is a significant as a vote of confidence and signal to other potential donors. No Macalester student pays the full cost of his or her education.
None ever has.
Gifts to the Annual Fund help buy light bulbs, books, baseballs and other items that provide students with an environment in which to live and to learn. 52 Macalester 36 Students have always played a part in shaping the Annual Fund at Macalester through administrative support and by calling alumni during pledge drives. Annual Fund gifts help keep Macalester accessible to all, by supporting generous scholarships for students. Our need-blind admission policy admits students without bias. Gifts to the Annual Fund help ensure that within any given year Macalester is able to meet fully and generously its commitment accessibility through aid.