Alumni Giving Participation 2008
See how your class ranks among others in giving participation and giving levels.
Toccoa Falls alumni have sacrificially given to our alma mater since the first class graduated in 1922. And, ever since then, that activity has been tracked. We recognize that we are stewards of all resources gifted to Toccoa Falls College.
We are often asked, “How does giving from our class year compare to other classes?” I’m glad you asked. We are always interested in looking at how our alumni are engaged in giving to our alma mater, what classes are particularly more active than others in that area, and what perceptions may exist that produce such outcomes.
Our office tracks this data by class year; however, for purposes of being concise in this report, I compiled the data in decades. This first chart compares alumni giving by class year during 2006-2007 with alumni giving during 2007-2008.
Go 1950’s!!!
How does YOUR class compare?
Classes that particularly stand out within each decade in the area of participation:
1939 – 1945 – 1954 – 1960 – 1971 – 1984 – 1995 – 2006
Top Five Classes by Participation
- 1954 27%
1955 24%
1945 22%
1951 19%
1960 17%
Top Five Classes by Average Gift
- 1939 $125,500.00
1950 $ 20,489.50
1977 $ 3,116.67
1958 $ 2,780.00
1957 $ 2,681.67
Bequests and planned gifts are excluded.
It isn’t always the size of your gift that makes a difference, although sometimes that is the case. But, it is that you give which makes the difference. When appeals are made to Foundations, Corporations, or high profile non-donors for financial support, their number one question is, “What percentage of your alumni gives to the school?” And, one of the key areas scrutinized by our accrediting agencies is the percentage of alumni giving versus non-alumni giving to our institution.
Alumni giving for 2008 surpassed the last two years, and we thank each of you for your giving ministry. I’ve provided a few charts that illustrate how alumni participation and alumni giving contributions have grown over the last three years.
This first chart illustrates the strength of alumni giving to the Student Scholarship Program as compared with funds received college-wide for the same endeavor over the last three years.
100% of each gift goes directly to student scholarships for tuition relief to qualified students.
The second chart illustrates total alumni giving compared to total college gifts received. These figures represent gifts received for unrestricted and restricted gifts from the entire TFC donor base. Restricted gifts would include funds for construction of a building, a named scholarship, or specific project.
The third chart shows alumni percentage participation to total giving to the college.
National averages point to an 11.7% participation rate so TFC alumni are head and shoulders above that average.
Tracking giving patterns helps us to identify those areas of greatest interest to our alumni. You will note in all of these charts that both alumni (54.3%) and college giving (18.1%) increased from 2007 to 2008. This past year two alumni supported the construction of the Cora Houston Dorm ($500,000) which was reflective in alumni giving.
Toccoa Falls alumni are special. You help preserve our heritage through your testimony, your individual ministries, your prayers, and your financial support. Our prayer is that you will continue to keep Toccoa Falls College in your prayers and part of your giving ministry.
