Insights on Voluntary Support of Education 2025
Giving to U.S. higher education institutions exceeded $78 billion in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025—a 4% increase over the previous year—underscoring donors’ continued confidence in colleges and universities as trusted stewards of philanthropy and powerful drivers of long-term impact. The CASE Insights on Voluntary Support of Education findings were released today by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
According to the survey findings, 81% of all contributions were designated for specific uses, with the most common areas of support including student success programs such as advising and tutoring, financial aid, and research. Approximately 60% of institutions reported growth in funds received (cash), and 57% saw increases in new funds committed (new pledges and new outright gifts), signaling broad and steady engagement across the sector. These trends point to sustained confidence in higher education’s mission, paired with a more deliberate and impact focused approach to giving.
“Donors are increasingly directing their giving toward areas that expand educational opportunity and address society’s most pressing challenges,” said Sue Cunningham, President and CEO of CASE. “Their generosity underscores a shared conviction that education is one of the most powerful forces for positive change – both for individuals and for the greater community. We all benefit from the important work these institutions deliver.”
The 2025 survey collected data on charitable gifts and grants raised from private sources for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025. A total of 670 U.S. higher education institutions participated—representing 17% of all colleges and universities—with participation varying by institutional type, as defined by the 2021 Basic Carnegie Classification.
To produce the national estimate of voluntary support, CASE combined reported funds received with estimated support from non‑responding institutions. For the 2025 cycle, CASE implemented an updated methodology to ensure fuller representation of the U.S. higher education sector. Full methodological details are available in the CASE Insights on Voluntary Support of Education 2025 report.
About CASE
CASE—the Council for Advancement and Support of Education—is a global, not-for-profit membership association with a vision to advance education to transform lives and society.
CASE is the home for advancement professionals, inspiring, challenging, and equipping them to act effectively and with integrity to champion the success of their institutions. CASE defines the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, leading, and championing their dissemination and application with more than 97,000 advancement professionals at 3,100 member institutions in 80 countries.
Broad and growing communities of professionals gather under the global CASE umbrella. Currently these include alumni relations, development services, communications, fundraising, government relations, and marketing. These professionals are at all stages of their careers and may be working in universities, schools, colleges, cultural institutions, or other not-for-profits. CASE uses the intellectual capital and professional talents of a community of international volunteers to advance its work, and its membership includes many educational partners who work closely with the educational sector.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CASE works across all continents from its regional offices in London, Singapore, and Mexico City to achieve a seamless experience for all its stakeholders, particularly its members, volunteers, and staff.