By Andre Dowell, Associate Director of Development, Carl H. Lindner College of Business, Office of Advancement, The University of Cincinnati Foundation

Although academic philanthropy is evolving, it will continue to play a vital role in shaping academics over the coming decades. It will continue to create opportunities for students and faculty by eliminating issues of access and affordability. Charitable giving continues to be vital to supporting research and development.

Current State of Academic Philanthropy

Academic philanthropy has reached a critical stage in its expansion in which it is both meaningful enough in terms of funds disbursed and notable enough in numerous academic fields to influence what research is pursued.

Many established academic philanthropies have a long history of supporting academics and research. Several of these institutions will be celebrating centennial anniversaries over the coming decades, resulting in many new supporters seeking to fund cutting-edge academics and research.

Nonprofit organizations are facing increased competition for philanthropic commitments from donors. Simultaneously, technology allows donors to access metrics—the quantifiable measurements of their funds at work— demonstrating the outcomes of their philanthropic efforts.

The thriving philanthropic academic programs of the future will be the ones that can show the outcomes and effects of their work and mission.

Philanthropic Clarity & Effectiveness

Moving forward, academic philanthropy will need to address transparency and significance. Philanthropic programs must be able to show supporters that their commitments have an immediate impact.

Organizations must provide a mission, vision, and a case that highlights outcomes and effects, making it easier for donors to understand the organization's effectiveness and significance.  

In higher education, this means connecting supporters to the beneficiaries of their philanthropic commitments, such as their impact on research initiatives or meeting scholarship recipients.

Advancement professionals must understand the distinct philanthropic pursuits of donors and effectively tie those to the institution’s efforts.

Rethinking Academic Philanthropy

We will need to showcase our institution’s potential to develop solutions and create change in the world. We must change the negative perception of giving to higher education. To achieve this goal of positive academic and societal impact, academic philanthropy will need to advance new fields of research, broaden participation in academics, and deepen links between academics and society.

Rethinking the future of academic philanthropy requires us to demonstrate the return on philanthropic investment. Our marketing materials should showcase examples of our institution’s impact on society. Ultimately, the future of academic philanthropy is about being transparent.

The most effective philanthropic academic programs of the future will be those that fundraise creatively and innovatively and which present authentic cases of support to their philanthropic partners. In both scale and scope, academic philanthropy is positioned to play a crucial role in our world by supporting research, educational excellence, and international impact.