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Public Policy


Government legislation and policies can have a significant impact on the work of educational advancement professionals around the world.

To fulfill their missions and meet both individual and societal needs, colleges, universities, independent schools and international schools rely on support from government entities and officials. As the membership association serving educational institutions and advancement professionals, CASE advocates for policies that will aid institutions and those who work in alumni relations, communications & marketing, development and advancement services.

CASE monitors relevant legislative and regulatory activity in the U.S. Congress and federal agencies and updates its members with timely information. In Europe, Asia-Pacific and beyond, CASE provides support, resources and expertise to help advance growing government support for philanthropy.

CASE also works with other associations and organizations to communicate members' interests, views and needs to government policy makers.

The CASE Global Policy Framework outlines seven broad policy areas of concern to CASE and CASE members around the world.

CASE Comments to Australian Government Productivity Commission Draft Recommendations

On 9 February 2024, CASE submitted comments to the Australian Government Productivity Commission in response to their draft recommendations in Future Foundations for Giving, which sets out draft findings and recommendations on how the Australian Government can increase philanthropic giving and meet the goal of doubling giving by 2030. CASE comments focus on four key areas:

  • Urging the Commission to reconsider its recommendation to withdraw Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status from school building funds.
  • Support for specific recommendations in the draft report. 
  • Reiteration of our recommendation for a matched funding scheme and other key giving incentives to significantly increase giving to educational institutions and other not-for-profit organisations (NFPs). 
  • The need to build fundraising capacity by growing, developing, and attracting top talent.

The Commission will issue its final report and recommendations in May 2024. 
 

CASE Comments to the Productivity Commission, 9 February 2024

CASE Initial Submission to the Productivity Commission, 5 May 2023

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Global Policy Framework

Institutional autonomy and academic freedom are the bedrock of strong educational institutions and systems. Governments should not aim to direct how institutions spend and invest private resources or prescribe what faculty should teach or study.

Charitable donations help colleges, universities, independent and international schools and cultural institutions achieve their teaching, research and public service missions. Donations support student scholarships, academic programs, faculty and facilities, all of which help institutions, students and society. Governments should enact policies that provide incentives to individuals and institutions to give more to educational institutions.

Education is the most effective away to advance humanity, maintain a civil society and tackle myriad challenges that our world faces. CASE supports policies that make it easier for individuals to seek life-changing educational and employment opportunities around the globe. Additionally, CASE opposes policies that needlessly make it more difficult for individuals to seek employment opportunities in advancement worldwide.

Educational institutions have an obligation to do all they can to protect constituent data. As government
officials seek to take more legislative and regulatory action around data privacy, they should ensure that
policies do not significantly harm the ability of educational institutions to responsibly engage alumni,
donors and other stakeholders.

An educated citizenry is good for society. Governments should enact policies that help alumni pay off
and/or eliminate student debt, particularly for alumni who seek careers in public service or other key
sectors where educated workers are needed.

While charitable giving provides critical resources for educational institutions, private support cannot
and should not replace government funding for education. Given the tremendous benefits that
graduates provide to society, governments should be willing to invest public resources to support
educational institutions.

Policies and regulations that needlessly increase the cost of doing business hurt the ability of
advancement professionals to do work for the benefit of their institutions. CASE supports policies that
maintain or reduce the administrative cost burdens on advancement offices, allowing advancement
professionals to spend more time engaging with key constituents.

Advocacy

United States

Find out more about CASE's advocacy efforts in the U.S.

Europe

Learn how CASE is supporting our members in Europe.

U.S. Policy Resources Europe Policy Resources

For further information about CASE's public policy efforts, contact our advocacy team.