The retreat of state funding at public institutions paired with the growing concerns surrounding vulture capitalism that has weaponized philanthropic gift-giving (i.e., distinguished chairs, scholarships and fellowships, academic research centers, faculty lines, campus maintenance) means educators must find ways to teach students about the…

The law of diminishing returns, a simple but powerful concept that is widely known by everyone with a rudimentary understanding of economics, is often flagrantly disregarded by many -- including the richest among us. The law states that there comes a time when additional infusion of a factor of production no longer leads to an increase in…

Although "naming rights" have proliferated in American higher education for the past several decades, the phenomenon has recently expanded to extraordinary lengths. In this area, academe fits right in with the larger culture, which has named everything from AutoZone Park to Gillette Stadium to the children's wing of your local hospital. Anything…

The purpose of this article is to discuss the importance of increasing fund development at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Increasing the endowments at HBCUs means placing more emphasis on cultivating alumni and educating them about the importance of philanthropy. Advancement professionals at these specialized institutions…

Fund-raising mailing must be well conceived and executed in order to hold its own against competing charitable organizations as well as commercial firms offering sweepstake prizes. An appeal letter is seen as the most important piece in any direct-mail effort. (MLW)

In John Steinbeck's classic novel "The Pearl," a poor Mexican fisherman finds a valuable pearl in an oyster. But instead of leading to riches, the "treasure" brings him only envy among his neighbors and violence against his family. He can't even convert the pearl to cash. Comparable drama is familiar fare for today's fund-raising professionals and…

Some basic strategies and procedures that provide a step-by-step annual fund plan are reviewed. This approach divides goals into revenue targets for each annual fund program and links program success to budget and staff requirements. (MLW)

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)

This article raises issues concerning fundraising by institutions of higher education and affirms the principles of institutional autonomy and institutional fairness. Considered are attachment of conditions to individual gifts, consequences of patterns of support, granting favors to donors, imposing burdens on donors, prospect research, and…

Every planned giving administrator's ultimate responsibility is to serve the institution of higher education and not the donor. Planned giving administrators should instruct donors to consult a financial adviser because they cannot fill that role. (MLW)

The future of American higher education now depends on its ability to attract more and larger gifts for endowment. Comprehensive strategies that include all the ways to increase endowments are presented. (MLW)

A written campaign plan is seen as essential for annual fund success. It should contain details on all aspects of the campaign: strategy, leadership, organization, goals, and events, plus the schedule and deadlines for each of these. (MLW)

Offers contrasting views on whether the federal government's scheduled repeal of the estate tax will crimp charitable giving to higher education. (EV)

Although most people approach asking for donations with a high level of anxiety, $129.9 billion dollars were donated by individuals, bequests, corporations, and foundations in 1994. While corporation and foundation gifts are usually in cash, individual gifts may take the form of money, securities and real estate, art works, life insurance, or…

Discussion of Andrew Carnegie era in American public library history focuses on library buildings financed and built in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The building design which Carnegie developed, surviving Carnegie libraries in Philadelphia, procedures for obtaining a library, and comparison of architectural attractiveness of Carnegie libraries with…