MACALESTER EXCELLENCE

Fiscal year 2006–2007 marked a five-year milestone in financial stewardship at Macalester. Among other factors, last year marked the completion of five years of a fully diversified portfolio developed after Macalester was able to sell the Reader’s Digest stock in the DeWitt Wallace Fund.

OPERATING BUDGET VIEW CHARTS»
For the 33rd consecutive year, Macalester operated with a balanced budget. Macalester was able to maintain this financial trend while offering a first-year financial aid package that averaged $25,653 per student. Sixty-five percent of first-year Macalester students received aid, meeting 100 percent of admitted students’ demonstrated financial need, in keeping with Macalester’s historic commitment to the diversity of her students. Macalester has also continued to generate administrative cost efficiencies and maintained one of the lowest administrative staff-to-student
ratios among its peers.

ENDOWMENT VIEW CHARTS»
At the close of the 2006–2007 fiscal year, the return on investments was an impressive 21 percent. Macalester has built a portfolio that will serve the college well in the years to come, irrespective of the extremes of the market.

ADVANCEMENT VIEW CHARTS»
Macalester’s ambitious advancement program has also met with considerable success. Total giving has increased notably over the last five years, and Macalester reached record donor giving in 2006–2007. Contributions to the Annual Fund have also increased significantly over the five years, with leadership gifts ($1,000+) increasing by 15 percent last year. Although overall alumni participation was down slightly, reflecting a national trend, alumni giving rose to $10.3 million, an increase of nearly $1 million from the previous year.