The Importance of Participation

Your participation in the cycle of regular alumni contributions is a vote of support for Yale and its uncompromising standards. Gifts of every size are important, in part because participation statistics impact how Yale is evaluated by corporate and foundation donors.

Does a gift of $5, $10, or $25 make any difference?

All gifts, large and small, are important. That’s partly because each gift increases Yale’s alumni participation rate, which in turn affects our outside funding. Most gifts to the Alumni Fund are between $25 and $250. These gifts are a key part of our fundraising effort.

Why is the alumni participation rate important?

Some corporations and foundations make funding decisions based in part on Annual Fund participation rates—so higher participation rates translate directly into increased outside funding for the college. 

Per Randy Nelson ’85, think of your Alumni Fund gift, no matter what size, as a VOTE for Yale.