The CASE-Ross report, released today by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), shows the new funds secured by UK and Irish higher education institutions increased to more than £1.3 billion in 2018-19; this is the highest total reported by the survey since its inception in 2000. In terms of trends, average new funds secured increased 21% over 2017-18 figures¹.

Cash income also rose with £1.1 billion received as total cash income during 2018-19. The average cash income increased by 11% over 2017-18 figures.

The report showed strong investment in development and advancement operations which increased by an average of 4% and 6% respectively over 2017-18 levels, while average institutional income increased by 15%. The total number of donors was 204,967 during 2018-19.

“The CASE-Ross Survey results demonstrate the depth of value that donors and supporters of higher education place in the research, teaching and community service conducted at these universities,” says Sue Cunningham, President and CEO of CASE.

“This record giving will buoy the life-changing work underway now as academic expertise is focused squarely on solving the challenges inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Advancement practitioners and university leaders have built relationships with their communities of supporters that will be more important than ever in the effort to advance education to transform lives and society.”

The CASE-Ross Support of Education Survey, United Kingdom and Ireland collects detailed information about fundraising and donors to measure the philanthropic performance of higher education institutions in the UK and Ireland. It also provides an estimate of the overall impact of philanthropy on the higher education sector. It is one of a portfolio of AMAtlas surveys undertaken by CASE worldwide, providing vital comparative data for fundraising and alumni relations.

Bruce Bernstein, CASE Executive Director for Global Engagement, emphasizes: “We are delighted that donors continue to invest in our sector, supporting institutions to carry out life-changing research, providing students with access to scholarship opportunities, and supporting local communities. Philanthropic income will become more important over the next twelve months as we move forward in these uncertain times and strong donor engagement will remain fundamental to that success.”

The philanthropic support for higher education landscape is uncertain as CASE’s member institutions and the world continue to deal with the impact of COVID-19.

Other key findings from the 2018-19 survey data include:

• There are a greater number of institutions that are securing new funds at higher income levels.
• Amongst 79 institutions that provided data (excludes elite institutions), 181 donors made gifts or pledges worth £500,000 or more during 2018-19.
• On an overall level, 48% of average new funds were secured from individuals, while 51% of average cash income was received from organisations (including companies, lotteries and trusts and foundations).
• Of the institutions that provided the breakdown for total donor figures, 97% were individuals and 3% were trusts and foundations, companies, lotteries or other organisations.
• 1% of the contactable alumni made contributions during the year.
• Staff costs accounted for 73% of average fundraising expenditures and 67% of average alumni relations expenditures.

¹Trends are calculated using data from a base of 87 institutions that provided information for a key set of variables for all three years - 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 and are based on consistent year-over-year samples.

The report uses cluster analysis based on three-year average figures for key variables related to income, donors, costs and staffing. Based on this analysis, the participating institutions are grouped into six clusters: Fragile, Emerging, Developing, Moderate, Established, and Elite. 

About CASE AMAtlas

The CASE-Ross Group Support of Education Survey, United Kingdom and Ireland collects detailed information about fundraising and donors to measure the philanthropic performance of higher education institutions in the UK and Ireland. It also provides an estimate of the overall impact of philanthropy on the higher education sector. The CASE-Ross Survey is part of AMAtlas, CASE’s global resource for educational advancement-related metrics, benchmarks and analytics.