Interviews with 30 million-dollar donors to colleges and universities, including 17 individuals and representatives of 8 corporations and 5 foundations, revealed that donors gave with the expectation of receiving some return but sought indirect rather than direct benefit: enhancement of the institution, community, or society at large. (MSE)

In a philanthropic partnership, a corporation gives money to a university so the university can use it to further the corporation's philanthropic goals. Business must focus its support where it will have the most effect on targeted social problems. (MLW)

A foundation official offers practical advice for making a grant application more appealing. Pointers are given for the preparatory stage (planning a precise request, setting priorities, selecting proposal writers), making the presentation (precision, punctuality, polish), and preventing awkwardness in style and tone of writing. (MSE)

The effects of poor planning may show up at the beginning of a college fund-raising campaign or much later, perhaps at a crucial stage in soliciting a leadership gift. Proper preparation starts with developing an overall institutional plan and moves to readying the development program for the upcoming drive with a campaign plan. (MLW)

Grant proposals are most likely to succeed when they are based on solid, well-conceived ideas. Long-range planning is the best way to come up with workable ideas that will convince small foundations of a project's merits. Planning helps identify an institution's top priorities and achieve a consensus. (MLW)

A college fund raiser offers advice on cultivating foundation funding, including preparatory research on institutional priorities, foundation goals, and funding history; writing a thorough and persuasive proposal; and following up with personal contacts after submitting the proposal. (MSE)