The author discusses the results of an annual "Voluntary Support of Education" survey by the Council for Aid to Education. According to the report, after two lackluster years, donations to U.S. colleges and universities rose last year by a healthy 8.2 percent, to an estimated $30.3-billion. The total raised comes close to the amount seen in 2008,…

This article reports that Princeton University has settled a long-running dispute with the heirs of a major donor by agreeing to pay $50-million to the heirs' foundation and approximately the same amount for their legal fees. The case has been closely watched as a test of how strictly institutions must adhere to donors' wishes. The settlement…

The psychology behind getting the big gift and making "the ask" for it was a major topic at Fund Raising Day in New York 2008, which drew representatives from across the nonprofit world, including charities, hospitals, colleges, and museums. Laura Fredricks, who was vice president for philanthropy at Pace University from 2002 until earlier this…

Last week, the biggest annual gathering of college fund raisers was held in New York as some of the rockiest business news of the year unfolded. The three-day event, organized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, was bookended by the federal government's announcement that it would step in to bail out the beleaguered mortgage…

This article talks about a report on fund-raising campaign done by universities and colleges to support their educational programs. According to the "Voluntary Support of Education" annual report released by the Council for Aid to Education, alumni and other individual donors gave just more than half of the total amount raised. The country's…

Describes how, by sponsoring donor-advised funds, colleges are allowing contributors to enjoy tax breaks and philanthropic experience normally reserved for billionaires with their own foundations. (EV)

Thirty-five major gifts of cash, stock, and other property made by individuals and foundations since 1967, and the colleges and universities they were given to, are listed. Some institutions have received more than one major gift. (MSE)

Colleges and universities are increasingly seeking donations from young entrepreneurs, using nontraditional approaches, and some have been very successful. Others have alienated wealthy young alumni by being too aggressive. Youthful entrepreneurs who do make gifts tend to time their donations to business events rather than to life events. (MSE)

Arnold Beckman is a chemist, businessman, and inventor who was the first to apply electronics to chemical measurement. For 17 years, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation has given over $300 million to science, focusing on biology and chemistry. The National Academy of Sciences will honor Beckman with its most prestigious award for his…

A coalition of 650 grant-making and non-profit organizations has begun a drive to double charitable giving by individuals in the United States and increase by 50% their volunteer activities by 1991, using national advertising and grassroots activities and focusing on the current highest givers of time and money. (MSE)

At many colleges, contributions are up in nearly all categories including: alumni gifts, corporate and foundation grants, and planned giving. While the market crash delivered a strong jolt to donor confidence, the 1986 Tax Reform Act has had more impact on giving. (MLW)

Reviews the activities and research projects in education supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Foundation's current emphases are on the humanities, campus diversity, granting fellowships, and working with premier institutions. Recent publications by Mellon staff have increased the visibility of the Foundation's activities. (DB)

With the growth of the stock market in the 1990s, donations of $30-million and more to colleges and universities are becoming common, and there are more large gifts in general than ever before. These donations have a major impact on smaller institutions. Information on major private gifts and grants since 1967 is presented. (MSE)

Increasingly, individuals, foundations, and corporations are donating money to colleges and universities for environmental research and education, Some are concerned about potential for conflict of interest in the competitive fund-raising arena, and use of donations to improve corporate public images. Others feel existing safeguards are adequate…

More colleges than ever are turning to capital campaigns. Goals have grown so large, and accounting practices so liberal, that experienced fund-raisers tend to discount most announced campaign achievements. The Philanthropic Roundtable, an outlet for conservative views, will subject foundation giving to greater scrutiny. (MLW)