About the Awards
The Educational Fundraising Awards annually recognize exemplary development programs based on a blind review of data submitted to the CASE Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey.
CASE member institutions that have participated in the VSE for the past three years are automatically considered. There is no entry fee or application. Winners are announced in categories based on institution type and, in some cases, endowment size.
Recent Winners
Judging Criteria
Winners are not selected based solely on total funds raised. Two committees of experienced fundraisers (one for independent schools, and one for colleges and universities) review hundreds of pages of data from the CASE AMAtlas VSE Survey. They consider a number of factors and variables, including:
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Patterns of growth in total support
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Evaluation of what contributed to the total support figure
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Overall breadth of fundraising
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Patterns of growth in gifts from sources including alumni, other individuals, corporations, and foundations
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Impact of the 12 largest gifts on total support
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Giving to areas such as current operations, endowment, and property/buildings
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Amount raised per student
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Amount raised relative to expenditures
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Alumni participation
Award Designations
Overall Performance: For colleges and universities that show solid program growth, breadth in the base of support and other indications of a mature, well-maintained program.
Overall Improvement: For colleges and universities that demonstrate significant program growth across the three years of data.
Sustained Excellence: Recognize institutions that have demonstrated consistent fundraising success over a five-year period. Institutions that have been recognized with an overall performance, overall improvement or award for excellence in three out of the past five years also receive this award designation.
Award for Excellence: For independent schools that demonstrate solid program growth, breadth in the base of support, and other indicators of an exemplary fundraising program.