Bentz Whaley Flessner

Record giving to higher education is back, according to a survey released on Wednesday by the Council for Aid to Education. America’s colleges and universities took in $33.8 billion in charitable contributions during the 2013 fiscal year, nearly a 10 percent increase over 2012 and the biggest sum ever raised by the sector. The previous record for charitable gifts to colleges was $31.6 billion during the 2008 fiscal year, before the recession stifled donations.

Whether you’re new to a development leadership role or a seasoned executive, you must consider personnel issues. Much like a football coach who takes over a team, think about each part of the organization and how the pieces fit together. A fundraising coach knows that success depends on a total team concept. Each fundraising organization has elements of governance through its board of directors and administration with executive leadership and staff. These various individuals must execute strategic and operational plans for success to occur.

In a clear signal that the economic recovery has not yet arrived on most campuses, private giving to American colleges last year barely improved after a precipitous drop the year before.

Donations to higher education rose 0.5 percent during the 2010 fiscal year, according to findings of the annual Voluntary Support of Education Survey, which were released by the Council for Aid to Education on Wednesday. Adjusted for inflation, giving declined 0.6 percent.

BETHESDA, Md., October 20, 2009 — WealthEngine, a leading provider of
sophisticated prospect research tools and screening services, announced today
that it has teamed up with fundraising consulting firm, Bentz Whaley Flessner,
to provide the market's most comprehensive and effective analysis of giving
capacity and propensity.

President Obama today proposed to cap the rate that high-income taxpayers can use to claim charitable deductions as part of a plan to finance changes to the country’s health-care system.