Fundraising Talks – May 2026

Welcome to the May 2026 edition of Fundraising Talks.

During May, many of our colleges and universities celebrate new graduates through their spring commencement ceremonies. Commencement marks an important milestone for graduates as they reflect on the successful completion of their education and begin a new chapter filled with opportunities and challenges. It is also a pivotal moment for institutions to build lasting relationships with new alumni and their families. Engaging graduates and parents in meaningful ways at this stage helps establish strong connections that can support enduring partnerships—partnerships that play a vital role in shaping the future of higher education.

Latest data from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s (CASE) Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey shows that philanthropic gifts to U.S. colleges and universities increased 4 percent over the prior year. The survey, conducted with 670 U.S. higher education institutions, analyzed charitable gifts and grants from private sources for FY 2025. In FY 2025, higher education institutions received an estimated total of $78.8 billion in private support. This growth highlights the continued willingness of donors to invest in education and make a meaningful impact.

Key findings from the VSE survey include:

Funds received and commitments increased, signaling continued donor confidence. Monetary gifts received by institutions rose by approximately 3.9 percent, while newly committed funds increased by 6.6 percent, reflecting steady donor engagement.

Short-term strength with longer-term questions. Increases in new funds committed were reported by 53.1 percent of private institutions and 57.6 percent of public institutions.

Individual giving to operating funds increased in FY 2025, while giving to endowment and to property, buildings, and equipment declined.
Giving by both alumni and non-alumni individuals increased, while foundation giving declined.

Volunteer and board member contributions may be underrepresented, as reflected in CASE’s collection of soft-credit data tied to giving from other sources.
“Donors down, dollars up” remained the trend in FY 2025, with institutions receiving larger gifts from fewer donors.

Contribution sources varied by gift size. Foundations were the primary source of gifts of $250,000 and above; alumni were key contributors for gifts ranging from $500 to $249,999; and non-alumni individuals predominately contributed gifts between $1 and $499.

Securities donations continued to grow, reflecting the impact of strong stock market performance.

Bequest intentions increased, and institutions saw growth in realized bequests.

The VSE survey findings affirm that donors continue to value and support higher education, even amid economic uncertainty. At the same time, the data reveals opportunities for continued growth. With new tax laws taking effect in 2026, institutions may be able to further encourage smaller individual donors—particularly non-itemizers—to give. Updated charitable deduction limits of $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for those married and filing jointly may provide additional incentives to increase participation among these donors. Data-driven fundraising will remain essential, and institutions should continue to improve the quality and use of available data. Doing so strengthens advancement teams’ ability to leverage AI and predictive modeling for more effective donor prospecting. Better use of data is key to identifying and cultivating donors whose interests align with institutional priorities.

As always, please feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or requests for assistance with fundraising research.

Best Regards,
Sapna and USM Advancement Research Team
Read more in this issue of Fundraising Talks>>