Participation is important, especially for alumni. It shows that those who know Hopkins best care about its future, and that's why the percentage of alumni who give to their alma mater is one of the factors considered by corporations, foundations, and ranking organizations.

No matter how small a gift is, it's important. It represents a decision. Smaller gifts are often catalysts for larger gifts, and the Annual Fund is the perfect place to put gifts of all sizes to work by pooling them during the fiscal year.

It's a fact that great accomplishments often result not from a single act, but from the accumulation of many smaller acts. The same is true with gifts. It's the accumulation of smaller gifts that gives them a significance they would not have individually.

When more people give, it shows they care about Johns Hopkins' future, know the institution is well run, and know their contribution can make a difference.