The Donor Investor Imperative Study

Key Insights

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This study examines key opportunities for advancement leaders to engage deans, department chairs, and faculty members in order to make the case for investment in higher education to the donor investor.

Over the past decade, higher education fundraising has outpaced other causes thanks to ever-larger comprehensive campaigns and increasing numbers of million-dollar gifts to institutions of all types and sizes. However, the emergence of a new breed of philanthropist, the donor investor, threatens this success.

These donors seek transformational ideas with world-changing impact, and they want to make deep connections with the individuals doing the work. Today’s donor investors will invest in innovation anywhere. However, there is increased competition for their philanthropy across the nonprofit landscape. To sustain fundraising success into the future, advancement leaders need to work with academic partners to source big ideas for fundraising and present a compelling case for support.