CASE Insights on Voluntary Support of Education Key Findings Fiscal Year 2025-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

CASE Insights staff presented key findings from the 68th annual U.S. Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey (670 respondents), emphasizing continued donor confidence despite economic and political uncertainty. Estimated total higher-ed giving reached $78.8B in FY25, up 4% year over year; results were even stronger at the median (about 10% growth), with nearly 60% of institutions increasing funds received. New funds committed rose 6.6%, enabling insight into fundraising productivity beyond cash received.<br /><br />Regional and sector nuances emerged: private institutions were mostly up in funds received, but some districts declined in new commitments—an early warning for future cashflow—while public institutions were flat or up across districts. Donors shifted toward immediate impact: gifts to current operations increased sharply (unrestricted +18.7%, restricted +8.1%), while several capital/endowment categories declined.<br /><br />A long-running pattern continued: fewer donors, more dollars. Alumni donor counts fell (median -3.5%), yet alumni revenue rose (+8.7%); 89% of dollars came from 2% of donors. Individuals’ giving grew, while foundation giving declined (-5.1%). Data also highlighted the importance of soft credits, gifts of securities holding steady, and a surge in planned giving: realized bequests reached an all-time high at 23.7% of personal giving, with new bequest intentions up ~10%. Presenters encouraged institutions to use CASE’s data portal, benchmarking reports, and peer comparisons to guide strategy.

Keywords

CASE Insights

Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey

higher education fundraising

donor confidence

FY25 charitable giving

new funds committed

unrestricted and restricted current operations gifts

alumni giving trends

planned giving and bequests