Skip to main content

CASE

CASE

Main Menu

  • Conferences & Training
  • Resources
  • Insights
  • Trending
  • Awards
  • Connect
  • Talent
  • About
  • Districts
    • ES
    • Membership
    • Log in
    • Alerts
    • Search
    • Shopping Cart

    Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Resources & Articles
    Voluntary Support of Education: Trends in Alumni Giving Report Cover

    Voluntary Support of Education: Trends in Alumni Giving

    Research Brief
    Published Date: April 24, 2019
    Voluntary Support of Education: Trends in Alumni Giving Report
    Advertisement
    2018 Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey shows alumni contributions to U.S. colleges and universities rose 6.9 percent, reaching $12.15 billion

    Based on responses to the annual VSE survey, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) estimates that alumni contributed $12.15 billion to their alma maters in 2018. That is 26 percent of all support received in that fiscal year.

    Alumni gave more than any other philanthropic source except foundations, which contributed $14.01 billion or 30 percent of the total in 2018. A closer look, however, shows that some of those foundations are the family foundations of alumni, and hence some of those gifts are made possible because of individuals’ attachments to their alma maters.

    VSE 2018 Alumni Giving Research Brief Donut Chart

    Increase in Alumni Support Driven by Capital-Purpose Gifts

    Much of the growth in alumni giving has been in the form of capital purpose gifts, which are gifts for endowment, property, buildings, equipment, and loan funds. This contrasts with the overall findings in the VSE survey, which show giving from all sources (including nonalumni individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations) was more evenly divided between capital purpose and current operations gifts.

    VSE 2018 Alumni Giving Research Brief Stacked Bar Chart for Current Operations and Capital Purposes, 2008-2018

    Alumni Earmark Current Operations Gifts for Specific Purposes

    When institutions report areas to which their alumni restrict current operations giving, they report the restrictions are primarily directed to three areas: student financial aid, athletic programs, and academic divisions or departments of study within a university. This pattern diverges from how other sources support higher education institution. For example, the largest percentage of the gifts from non-alumni sources are for research.

    VSE 2018 Alumni Giving Research Brief Distribution of Gifts to Current Operations, Restricted from Alumni and All Donors

    Alumni Have Been Steady Supporters of U.S. Colleges and Universities

    Historically, alumni have been the largest- or second-largest source of monetary support to higher education institutions in the U.S., with overall giving closely mirroring alumni giving. Between 1988 and 2018, for instance, alumni support grew 495 percent, while total support rose 470 percent.

    VSE 2018 Alumni Giving Research Brief Stacked Growth Line, 1988-2018

     

    Tags

    White Paper US/Canada Higher Education Alumni Relations Fundraising Resource Series: CASE Insights

    Other resources in Resource Series: CASE Insights

    CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics Key Findings, 2022 cover

    CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics Key Findings, 2022

    In 2022, 350 institutions from 17 countries, grouped into five regions, participated in the CASE Global Alumni Engagement Metrics (AEM) 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
    VSE 2022

    CASE Insights on Voluntary Support of Education, 2022 Report

    Summary findings from the 2021-2022 Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey are now available. Buy your copy, today.

    • Fundraising
    Digital Publication
    Cover for the CASE Alumni Engagement Key Metrics, 2021

    CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics Key Findings, 2021

    In 2021, 365 institutions from 19 countries, grouped into five regions, participated in the CASE Global Alumni Engagement Metrics (AEM) 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

    CASE
    • CASE Communities
    • Member Login
    • Careers at CASE
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Statement
    • Staff Intranet
    Connect with CASE
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    CASE Member Support
    +1-202-328-CASE [2273]
    support.case.org

    CASE

    CASE
    Close

    Search

    Popular Searches
    Book Advancement events Articles Fundraising Resources CASE Insights Resources Awards CASE Library CURRENTS