Voluntary support
of education executive summary

According to the VSE survey, voluntary support of U.S. higher education institutions totaled $59.50 billion in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022. That is an increase of 12.5 percent — $6.6 billion — over the previous fiscal year. Among the 781 institutions that reported in 2021 and 2022, support increased 11 percent. Nearly two-thirds of this core group reported that their charitable giving totals increased, by an average of 25.7 percent. The one-third that lost ground reported that giving declined, averaging 20.6 percent. That means nearly twice as many institutions reported a 2022 increase. Moreover, those with gains reported a steeper change than those reporting losses.

Support from alumni increased by 10.2 percent. Gifts from non-alumni individuals grew 8 percent. Gifts from organizations rose 14.6 percent. Over the past three decades, organizations have become the dominant type of donor to colleges and universities in the U.S. Foundations make up the largest segment of organizational donors. Relationships with individuals, however, are still paramount, as almost half of the foundations funding VSE survey respondents are family foundations. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) and closely held corporations are also managed by individuals.

The increase in giving was concentrated in restricted endowment gifts, followed by restricted gifts for current operations. These are the two most common purposes to which donors direct their gifts. The timing of charitable contributions, particularly large gifts, is strongly influenced by the performance of the stock market.

2023 VSE HIGHLIGHTS

#1 for total support, unrestricted support and restricted support in fiscal year 2022 for all reporting SUNY public associate institutions!

#1 in all three for all reporting SUNY public associate institutions for the second time. The first time was in fiscal year 2018.

Highest ever total support reported in a fiscal year on the VSE report.

For the third year in a row, our total support exceeded $5 million, at $8,364,713.

TOP 3 for total support, unrestricted support and restricted support since 2018.

#1 in unrestricted support for SUNY public associates for the fifth year in a row.

#1/#4 for faculty/staff giving at $131,394 for SUNY public associates in fiscal year 2022.