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Universities see a rise in donors

Universities are seeing an increase in goodwill donations, new research has found.

In total, UK universities were given £682 million in new philanthropic funds in 2007/08 - up from £442 million in 2006/07, according to the annual Ross-CASE survey.

A total of 144,282 donors gave to universities in 2007/08, an increase of 12% on 2006/07 and an increase of 32% on 2005/06.

Some 82% of donors were former students, or alumni, the study shows.

The study also reveals differences in fundraising between universities.

Oxford and Cambridge accounted for almost half (47%) of all new philanthropic funds secured by universities in 2007/08, although this is down slightly from the previous year.

Joanna Motion, vice president for international operations for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in Europe, said: “The year-on-year increase in the number of donors giving to higher education in the UK is striking and encouraging. More and more universities are nurturing a culture of philanthropy.”

She added: “This report shows we are at a crossroads in the UK as giving to universities is no longer seen as the preserve of the wealthy. It’s steadily becoming something ordinary people do as universities become more professional in their engagement with alumni and supporters.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .