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VSE Key Findings 2019-20 Cover

Voluntary Support of Education Key Findings, 2019-20

Survey results show a slight decline in charitable giving to U.S. higher education institutions
Published Date: February 9, 2021
VSE Research Brief Key Findings, 2019-20
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Read the press release on the VSE 2019-20 findings.

Based on responses to the annual Voluntary Support of Education survey, CASE estimates that colleges and universities in the U.S. raised $49.50 billion during the 2020 academic fiscal year, a slight decline from the $49.60 billion raised the year before.

Donut chart showing voluntary support by source, 2020

 

Fiscal Year Straddled Distinct Economic Climates

The two most important periods of fundraising activity—calendar­-yearend and fiscal­-yearend—fell in markedly different economic and social atmospheres. The first half of the fiscal year was part of the longest expansion in U.S. history. In the second half of the fiscal year, the Covid-19 pandemic caused the nation to plunge into a recession. The combination of expansion and recession in one fiscal year underlies the lackluster results.

Giving from "Other Organizations" Surpasses Giving from Corporations for the First Time

The largest increase—7%—came from “other organizations.” This category of donors, while smaller than others, has grown the most in the past decade. Giving from other organizations rose 53.2% since 2011. In 2020, other organization giving surpassed corporate support for the first time.

Much of this funding is due to donor-­advised funds (DAFs). A subset of 400 institutions reported on support from DAFs. Those entities represented 73.9% of the funds contributed from “other organizations” in that sample.

Line graph showing Voluntary Support by Source as a Percentage of Total Voluntary Support, 2020

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CASE Insights Data Portal

The benchmarking tools in the data portal will allow you to measure success and progress through the results of surveys on fundraising and alumni engagement.

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Survey Result US/Canada Higher Education Fundraising Resource Series: CASE Insights

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CASE Insights on Alumni Engagement 2024 Key Findings

CASE Insights on Alumni Engagement Key Findings 2024

In 2024, 394 institutions from 19 countries, grouped into seven regions, participated in the CASE Insights on Alumni Engagement survey. Respondents submitted data for their most recently completed fiscal year. This report presents findings by region, type of institution, and whether the institution is public or private.

  • Research and Data
  • Engagement
Digital Publication
CASE Insights on Voluntary Support of Education 2024 Report cover

CASE Insights on Voluntary Support of Education (United States), 2024

CASE Insights on Voluntary Support of Education, 2024 Report covers trends in the economy and voluntary support, survey respondent results, advancement investment, emerging findings, and more. 

  • Research and Data
  • Fundraising
Survey Result
CASE Alumni Engagement Key Findings 2023

CASE Insights on Alumni Engagement Key Findings 2023

In 2023, 375 institutions from 20 countries, grouped into seven regions, participated in the CASE Insights on Alumni Engagement survey. Respondents submitted data for their most recently completed fiscal year. This report presents findings by region, type of institution, and whether the institution is public or private.

  • Research and Data
  • Engagement
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