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    2019 CASE Support of Education Data & Research Findings Cover Image

    2018 Voluntary Support of Education

    Survey finds charitable giving to U.S. institutions continues upward trend
    Published Date: February 19, 2019
    VSE 2018: Key Findings
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    VSE 2018: Key Findings

    Based on responses to the annual VSE survey, CASE estimates that colleges and universities in the U.S. raised $46.73 billion during the 2018 academic fiscal year, 7.2 percent more than in 2017 and the highest amount ever raised.

    The increase was buoyed by a strong stock market and overall economy during the period studied. In addition, the collective work of advancement professionals, who make the case for support, is essential to growth in philanthropic support of the nation's education institutions.

    Dollars in billions
    Other key findings from the 2018 survey data

    Across-the-board increases from all donor types and for all general purposes

    Gifts from every type of donor increased. Notably, gifts from the category "other organizations" increased 13.5 percent, nearly double the increase from any other type of donor. This category includes fundraising consortia, religious organizations, and, significantly, donor-advised funds.

    Dollars in millions

    Giving to current operations rose 6.2 percent, and giving for capital purposes rose 8.6 percent, both of which represent sizable increases over the previous survey period.

    Nearly half the survey respondents responded to an optional question about donor-advised funds and indicated they had received 65.8 percent more in DAF payments in 2018 than in 2017.

    Dollars in millions bar chart

    Looking Ahead

    This year's VSE encompassed the period during which the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went into effect, U.S. tax reform legislation adopted in December 2017. Donors, wanting to take advantage of the old tax law, may have accelerated their giving to institutions as well as to DAFs in calendar-year 2017.

    How the tax reform bill and shifts in the economy influence giving are areas meriting study. Throughout the year, AMAtlas will release research briefs that explore aspects of the findings in greater depth.

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    AMAtlas Data Miner Logo 2019

    AMAtlas Data Miner

    AMAtlas Data Miner is a web-based benchmarking service that provides access to more than 350 variables about charitable giving to educational institutions.

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    Tags

    Survey Result US/Canada Higher Education Fundraising Resource Series: AMAtlas

    Other resources in Resource Series: AMAtlas

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    CASE Study of Principal Gifts to U.S. Colleges & Universities

    This study identifies 70 principal gifts to colleges and universities in recent years and examines the gift sources, uses, and purposes, plus anticipated impacts, considerations extended to donors, donor characteristics, and the cultivation and stewardship that led to the gifts.

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    VSE Findings cover image

    VSE Summary Findings 2021

    Since 1957, the Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) report has been the comprehensive and definitive source of data on fundraising outcomes in higher education and a sample of precollege institutions in the United States.

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    Voluntary Support of Education, 2021

    Summary findings from the 2020-2021 Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey are now available. Buy your copy, today.

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