Optional Materials-The Rise and Professionalisation of the American Fundraising Model in Higher Education

The Rise and Professionalisation of the American Fundraising Model in Higher Education

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Nadine Ann Skinner's paper, "The Rise and Professionalization of the American Fundraising Model in Higher Education", published in Philanthropy & Education, traces the development of fundraising within American higher education from unstructured efforts into a professionalized field. Skinner outlines the historical reliance of American universities on private philanthropy, which evolved into a sophisticated, structured enterprise known today as institutional advancement. <br /><br />The paper explains how early fundraising was driven by necessity due to lack of state support, and how it became more organized over the decades. Key to this professionalization process were associations such as the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), which was formed in 1974 through the merging of the American Alumni Council and the American College Public Relations Association. These organizations helped to standardize practices and define the field through periodicals like "Currents" and reports such as the 1958 Greenbrier Report.<br /><br />CASE played a pivotal role in framing the professional standards and ethical considerations required to align fundraising with broader educational goals. Through periodicals and conferences, CASE communicated best practices, emphasized ethical fundraising, and fostered a collaborative environment for institutions to learn and adapt from each other.<br /><br />Skinner notes the dominance of private fundraising, which eventually gained prominence, becoming essential due to its democratic ethos and perceived independence from state control. Articles and case studies from periodicals reveal how fundraising became integrated within institutions, eventually leading to an independent development department aimed at sustainable financial growth.<br /><br />Overall, Skinner's analysis highlights a complex evolution driven by internal professionalization and external pressures, leading to a well-established field critical to the financial health and advancement of higher education institutions in the United States.

Keywords

American fundraising model

higher education fundraising

professionalization of fundraising

institutional advancement

private philanthropy in universities

Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

fundraising ethics

Greenbrier Report 1958

fundraising professional associations

financial sustainability in higher education