Now more than ever, colleges and universities are relying on funds raised from alumni to support their operations. At the same time, the percentage of alumni donors is in decline and new research suggests that higher education fundraising strategies are overly reliant on alumni behaviors and demographics as predictors of giving. A 2011 study by…

Alumni participation rates of 40 percent and more are not uncommon at private baccalaureate institutions in the United States. At most publics, there is real cause for cheering when the rate peaks over 10 percent. Part of the problem is simply the math. With larger pools of alumni, public institutions face much higher costs, for instance, to send…

Ullysses Tucker likes a good challenge. After spending the first 20 years of his career working in media, he entered the development profession in 2000. He worked for the State University of New York Plattsburgh, New Jersey's Montclair State University, Louisiana's Grambling State University, and Western Illinois University before joining London…

Results of a study identifying and ranking the institutions most successful at fund raising are reported. Rankings include the top institutions in total gift income, annual growth in gift income, gift income per student, fund-raising leverage, alumni participation, and performances surpassing statistical prediction. (MSE)

Using paid phonathon callers, it is argued, will increase dollar and percentage response without hurting college volunteer programs. Arguments in favor of paid callers are summarized: they raise more money, they cost less, and since they are more easily available more alumni can be phoned. (MLW)

Paid phonathon solicitors may raise more money in the short term, but using paid callers, it is suggested, will undermine college volunteer programs. Phonathons are seen as a fund raising technique. Committed involvement is seen as fundamental to fund raising success. (MLW)

Bellarmine College (Kentucky) surveyed 29 peer liberal arts colleges to learn how trustees were involved in fund raising, revealing helpful information about strategies for campaigns, effect of board size and composition on trustee participation, nature of board involvement, president's role in campaign success, and moving from one campaign to the…

An annual survey by the Council for Aid to Education of voluntary support for education is reported. The survey does not take into account the October 19 stock market crash, and several colleges indicate a slowdown in the flow of gifts since then. (MLW)

How the ability of competing institutions to attract private support has changed over time is discussed. Data from 1971 to 1982 on Tufts University and 33 other selective colleges and universities was studied. (MLW)

Tables outlining the voluntary financial support for higher education, are presented, including purposes of support, sources of support, forms of giving, support through the annual fund, gifts of property, and corporations matching gifts. Both public and private institutions are examined. (MLW)

A 4-year study produced workable standards for capturing comparative costs useful to college administrators in fund raising, alumni administration, and public relations. The 51 institutions of higher education that completed the study reported their expenditures and gift income for the years 1985-86, 1986-87, and 1987-88. (MLW)

A study that was the first systematic attempt to develop guidelines for comparing college fund-raising costs was conducted by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the National Association of College and University Business Officers. The figures in the study cover the period 1986-88. (MLW)

This report examines Pittsburg State University's (PSU) Development Achievements for Fiscal Year (FY) 1992 and provides a comparison with 151 other comprehensive public universities reporting to the Council For Aid To Education (CFAE). Among conclusions are that PSU ranked in the top 27 percent of comparable institutions in total private support…

A recent report on University of California admissions practices over the last five years reveals that it is not uncommon for college admissions offices to admit otherwise unqualified students based on special admissions considerations, such as relationship to alumni or large donors. Experts feel the practice is nationwide. Survey data on relative…

This report presents the major Development Achievements for Fiscal Year (FY) 1993 of Pittsburg State University (PSU) in Kansas and provides a comparison with 150 other comprehensive public universities reporting to the Council for Aid to Education (CFAE). Among its conclusions are that PSU ranked 27th (top 18 percent) among the comparable…