Australia and New Zealand— The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has released the 2023 edition of CASE Insights℠ on Philanthropy (Australia and New Zealand), a comprehensive survey tracking philanthropic support across 35 universities in the region—the highest number of institutions ever included in this survey.  

Now in its twelveth edition, the 2023 survey reveals that an impressive AU$915.5 million was raised in new funds committedᵃ, underscoring the remarkable generosity and strong momentum of giving across the region.   

There are several promising trends indicating significant progress in philanthropic support. Notably, among institutions that participated in the survey for each of the last five yearsᵇ, the median new funds committed have more than doubled since the low in 2020. Non-Go8ᶜ institutions have also shown encouraging growth in 2023, with an increase in the number of those raising AU$10 million or more, and a rise in gifts of AU$1 million or more.  

 The report indicates that research programmes and partnerships were the primary focus of gifts made, capturing over half of the value of mean new funds committed (53.6%) and mean funds receivedᵈ (55.8%). Such contributions are vital investments in the future, driving scientific, technical, and humanistic research. These gifts support individual researchers, fund critical projects, and sustain leading research centres dedicated to solving complex global challenges.   

Trusts and foundationsᵉ remained the leading source of philanthropic support, contributing 41.6% of mean new funds committed and 42.8% of mean funds received in 2023. Their continued generosity plays a pivotal role in sustaining the momentum of these research efforts, empowering institutions to drive innovation and advance knowledge.  

As these initiatives grow in scale and significance, the need for increased philanthropic support becomes even more pressing. By continuing to give, donors play a direct role in shaping a better future—one where universities can lead the way in creating solutions that benefit society. Recognising this, institutions in the region have strengthened their advancement capacity by increasing fundraising and alumni relations staff following declines observed in 2021.  

"As the Australian Government seeks to double philanthropic giving by 2030, and New Zealand continues to advance its own philanthropic initiatives, targeted investment in fundraising and alumni relations staff is essential. By increasing the number and expertise of these advancement professionals, institutions can deepen relationships with donors, foster long-term engagement, and secure gifts at every level that fund critical research, scholarships, and infrastructure," says CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham. "This investment not only empowers universities to fulfil their missions but also enhances their capacity to contribute to societal progress, aligning with both educational goals and national priorities."  

The survey also notes some areas of complexity in the current philanthropic landscape. While there was a decline in new funds committed compared to the previous year—largely due to a substantial, transformational gift recorded in 2022— the 2023 figures still represent robust philanthropic engagement across the sector. Additionally, broader global trends, including declines in donor numbers (a finding also observed in the current survey), shifting student enrolment patterns, policy changes affecting international students, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, have presented challenges that influence philanthropic behavior and fundraising outcomes.  

Other key findings from the 2023 survey data include:  

• Funds received came to a total of AU$660.3 million, with the median value increasing compared to 2022.  
• A total of 130 non-bequest gifts of AU$1 million or above were pledged as new funds committed.   
• Total new funds committed from bequestsᶠ was AU$78.7 million and there was a rise in bequest intentions amongst those participating in each of the past three years. 
• For both new funds committed and funds received, the majority of donors give donations of less than AU$1,000 (79.3% and 79.8% of donors respectively). However, in terms of the total dollar value of gifts, it is donations between AU$1,000,000 and AU$999,999,999 which contribute the largest share of donations by gift band (48.7% of new funds committed and 39.2% of funds received).   
• Total new funds committed from annual appeals totalled AU$15.7 million and funds received came to AU$16.4 million.  Over recent years there have been declines in the amount raised through such appeals, but they are likely to be of value in engaging alumni and the community.   
• Institutions invested a total of AU$124.5 million in fundraising activities during 2023, with a median of 83.3% being invested in staff.   
• The total investment by all institutions in alumni relations was AU$59.1 million, with a median of 73.0% being for staff costs.   

As we prepare for the 2024 edition of CASE Insights℠ on Philanthropy (Australia and New Zealand), it is essential to view these findings within the broader context of the evolving higher education landscape. Continuous analysis of philanthropic trends will be crucial in understanding how these changes are shaping the future of advancement. By focusing on these emerging patterns, we can more effectively guide the strategies that will sustain and strengthen our institutions in the years ahead.  

Notes to Editors  

ᵃNew funds committed: New funds committed (previously new funds secured) by an institution includes new donations/gifts received, new confirmed pledges not yet received, realised bequests, and the market value of gifts-in-kind received in the reporting year. It excludes payments on pledges made in previous years. Measuring new funds committed reflects the success of current fundraising activity.   

ᵇTrend data: Five-year trends were calculated for a consistent cohort of 23 institutions that provided information for a key set of variables for each year from 2019 to 2023. 

 ᶜNon-Go8 institutions: The report breaks down data into two subgroups: Group of Eight (Go8) and Non-Group of Eight (Non-Go8) institutions. The Go8 is a coalition of research intensive Australian higher education institutions. Non-Go8 participants include institutions from both Australia and New Zealand. 

 ᵈFunds received: Funds received (previously cash income) by an institution includes all the cash that is received during the year, including new single cash gifts, pledge payments for current and prior years’ commitments, cash received toward recurring gifts, and cash realised from bequests. Funds received reflects the success of the current and past years’ fundraising activity.   

ᵉTrusts or foundations: These include personal and family foundations and other foundations and trusts that are private tax-exempt entities operated exclusively for charitable purposes; they also include Australian philanthropic foundations and private ancillary funds. Gifts to these types of trusts or foundations would typically see a “soft credit” flow to individuals.  

ᶠBequest: A bequest is a commitment/pledge that a transfer of wealth will occur upon a donor’s death. Within the survey, bequest gifts are counted only in either new funds committed or funds received (depending on the type of the gift) once they are received.  

About the Survey   

CASE Insights℠ on Philanthropy (Australia and New Zealand), now in its twelfth edition, is part of CASE Insights, CASE’s global resource for educational advancement-related metrics, benchmarks, and analytics that provides a range of other data and resources for schools, universities, and colleges.   

This research provides data on charitable giving, donors, and investments in fundraising and alumni relations for universities in Australia and New Zealand and complements similar surveys conducted in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.