Santa Clara University

What is Alumni Participation?

Alumni support is used by higher education to measure alumni participation by calculating the percentage of alumni that make an annual gift to their university.  When determining participation, a gift of $20 is weighed the same as a gift of $20,000.

Why is Alumni Participation Important?

• Alumni participation is regarded as a key indicator for measuring alumni satisfaction with their alma mater.  It is, therefore, one of the critical metrics used to determine national rankings.  It also helps leverage financial support from corporations and foundations.
  
  

• On the one hand, national rankings and international recognition increase the value of an SCU degree, on the other hand, alumni gifts help keep tuition costs down.  Currently, tuition covers 75% of the cost of a Santa Clara education.  Alumni contribution help bridge this gap.
  
  

• Alumni giving enables Santa Clara to provide our students with much needed support for scholarships, services, programs and facilities.  Last year, gifts of $100 or less added up to more than half a million dollars - underscoring the fact that every gift makes a difference.

Which Gifts Count Toward Alumni Participation?

Every alumni gift, to any area of campus, counts toward Santa Clara's participation rate.  Gifts to the Santa Clara Fund have the greatest impact on the largest number of students as they support scholarships, academic programs, international study and immersion trips, and student initiatives.

Gifts may be designated to any department or functional area at Santa Clara.  Popular gift designations include: Athletics, Special Assistance Fund, Alumni Family Scholarship Fund, and individual schools and departments.