From The Conversation · Genevieve Shaker · · 1m 30s
What Colleges Need From Donors
Donors can help colleges survive funding cuts and student debt crises.
In brief
Donors can help colleges survive funding cuts and student debt crises. Donors can help colleges survive funding cuts and student debt crises by pooling gifts, giving unrestricted funds, and covering student expenses. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Harvard's 1638 donation
Harvard University received £779 from John Harvard in 1638, equivalent to $2 million today.
Current funding cuts
Trump administration cuts research funding, student aid, and international student visas since 2025.
College closures
Sixteen colleges closed in 2025, including Martin University and Sterling College.
Acquisitions
At least 40 colleges acquired by other schools since 2020, including Marymount Manhattan College.
2025 donor contributions
Donors contributed $79 billion to colleges in 2025, up 4% from 2024.
Richest donors dominate
89% of 2025 college funds came from 2% of donors, including Phil and Penny Knight.
Record gifts in 2026
Ken Griffin gave Carnegie Mellon $3 billion in 2026, breaking the Knight record.
Specific gift examples
Michael and Susan Dell gave University of Texas $750 million for medical center in 2026.
Unrestricted gifts
Unrestricted gifts to colleges dropped below 7% in 2024 but rose slightly in 2025.
Pooling donations
Saving Sweet Briar campaign raised $2 million from $1.50 gifts to keep the college open.
Unrestricted funds help
Brandeis University uses unrestricted gifts to cover research shortfalls at Cornell University.
Student affordability
Donors can cover transportation and textbooks to help students graduate.
The bottom line
Donors can help colleges survive funding cuts and student debt crises by pooling gifts, giving unrestricted funds, and covering student expenses.
