You should be donating money to your college. I love donating like to my alma mater. I give money to them every month, and I’m even considering including them in my will. There are so many reasons that you should consider donating money to your college.
A couple of weeks ago there is a spirited debate on the blog, Tie The Money Knot, about whether or not you should be donating money to your college and giving back. I quickly found myself in the minority, and I wanted to elaborate more on why I think that you should be donating money to your college.
Five Reasons College Donations Are Important
Donating Money To Your College Protects Your Investment
I look at my diploma as a certificate of stock from my college that I went to. The value of that diploma goes up and down depending on what my college does, how is portrayed in the news, and how it improves throughout the years.
My goal is that my college diploma will increase in value throughout the years. One way that I can still influence that is by giving back to my alma mater. It is one reason why you should consider donating money to your college. It is a protection of your investment of the four years and most likely thousands of dollars that you have invested.
Colleges Need Donations For Their Operation Budgets
When I was working on the staff of my college’s student newspaper, I was introduced to the air workings of collegiate budgets. I was amazed that a large percentage of my college’s operating budget came from our endowment.
And, of course, the endowment comes from the generous donations of alumni. So without alumni donating money to your college, the operating budget of the college could be squeezed. It would be a shame to have sequestration to her college budget much like the federal government is facing America today.
Helping And Giving Back To New Students
Donating money to your college also helps give back to the next generation of students. The money that you donate to your alma mater often goes to new scholarships and to help fund new programs for the next classes of students who will attend your college.
It is often wonderful to think that donating money to your college can have a lasting impact on future generations of your fellow college students long into the future to come.
For that reason, many colleges also rely on the help offundraising firmsto help raise money for their school. These firms work with alumni and other donors to help solicit donations for the college. This can be a great way for colleges to get more money for important projects and initiatives.
Ranking Well In National Polls
We have to face facts. If a college wants to attract great students in great faculty, then they need to rent well the national polls. And, one attribute that colleges are graded against isthe amount alumni give. most rankings in national magazines rank colleges based on the percentage of alumni who gave back to their alma maters.
So often in the rankings is far more important for a college to have many small gifts with a high percentage of alumni giving back rather than one or two large gifts with very few alumni giving back and donating money to your college.
The College Gave You So Much To Start With
When I think of my college, I have nothing but good memories. I look back and I think of all the things that my college gave to me. You gave me a start, new friends, great experience, and life lessons, and was a place where I met my wife. I think that I owe so much more to the college than I’ll ever be able to repay. And, that is why I give freely from my heart back to my alma mater which I love so much.
I understand that giving to any charity is a personal decision. There are many people who simply don’t have the financial means to give back to charities they care about whether it is their college alma mater or another cause they love. I also think that there are far too many people who can give back and simply choose not to. And, I think that is a downright shame.
Do you give college donations back to your alma mater? Do you get back with your money, your time, or your energy? I love to hear your thoughts on why are why not you are not donating money to your college.
FAQs
Giving to charity makes you feel good
Donating to charity is a major mood-booster. The knowledge that you're helping others is hugely empowering and, in turn, can make you feel happier and more fulfilled.
Why should you donate your money? ›
Giving to charity makes you feel good
Donating to charity is a major mood-booster. The knowledge that you're helping others is hugely empowering and, in turn, can make you feel happier and more fulfilled.
Why are donations important for schools? ›
School fundraising plays a crucial role in today's educational system. With schools facing increasing financial challenges, effective fundraising has become more important than ever. It not only helps bridge the gap in funding but also supports essential programs and activities that might otherwise be unavailable.
Why do donors give to universities? ›
Higher education is no stranger to donations from alums, philanthropists, and billionaires hoping to advance an institution they believe will improve the lives of students — and change the world.
Why do rich people donate to colleges? ›
Large donations help offset rising costs, tuition and lower enrollment in addition to expanding on research and other endeavors, as explained by BestColleges. There's a spotlight on the wealthy individuals who continue to support their favored colleges and universities.
What is the purpose of donating? ›
Donating is a selfless act. One of the major positive effects of donating money to charity is simply feeling good about giving. Being able to give back to those in need helps you achieve a greater sense of personal satisfaction and growth, it feels good to help others.
What is the purpose of giving? ›
Giving can be a way of expressing gratitude or instilling gratitude, whether you are on the giving or receiving end; this gratitude is essential to happiness, health and social bonds. For example, when you do express gratitude in words and actions, you boost other people's positivity as well as your own.
Should you donate to your college? ›
It doesn't have to be a significant financial investment; every little donation helps. Universities benefit greatly from the donations they receive. Donations allow a university to reach its funding goals, allowing for new operations and projects. Plus, it helps the university's current and future students.
Why is fundraising important for colleges? ›
Explanation of Fundraising for Universities
Fundraising for universities is a form of philanthropy in which universities and colleges seek funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations. University fundraising can increase financial resources to support important initiatives such as: Student scholarships.
What is the best thing to donate to a school? ›
If you want to give back to your community, jot down these important school items to donate this year.
- Clothing. Every child needs properly fitting clothing to feel comfortable when they attend class. ...
- Shoes. ...
- Books. ...
- Toys. ...
- Backpacks. ...
- Folders and Binders. ...
- Calculators. ...
- Art Supplies.
What Do University Endowments Fund? Depending on the university's charter and investment policy statement, the endowment can fund several different aspects of operations. Endowments commonly support teaching, research, student scholarships, maintenance and construction, and public service, among others.
Does donating to a college help admission? ›
But, not all donations will help a student's case for admission. For people with no affiliation to a college who suddenly wish to donate to a school within, say, a year of their child applying, their donation will be perceived by the admissions officer precisely how they likely fear it will be perceived.
What is the biggest donation ever to a university? ›
Mike Bloomberg's $1.8 billion gift to Johns Hopkins for undergraduate financial aid stands as the largest single gift ever to a U.S. college or university.
How much do colleges rely on donations? ›
Overall, donations represent around 10 percent of the total funding of universities each year, with high disparities across universities. Additionally, the discretionary nature of donations leverages their influence on universities decisions.
Why do colleges need money? ›
Colleges hire many highly-educated professors who require high salaries and likely want to see pay go up as the cost of living increases. This alone can mean colleges need to charge more for admission, but there are other increased operating costs, as well.
Why donate to Harvard? ›
Gifts of all sizes to the Graduate School Fund directly support the recruitment and training of our outstanding graduate students, who will become the intellectual leaders of their generation and advance human knowledge and understanding.
Why do rich people donate money? ›
This is because wealthy donors not only reduce their income tax obligations, but also capital gains, estate and gift taxes.
What happens when you donate money? ›
Donating to a local charity is like giving them money to buy groceries. Most of the money (like groceries themselves) goes towards their main cause - helping people in need (feeding the hungry, building homes). Some goes towards keeping the kitchen running (rent, utilities).
Does donating save you money? ›
Charitable giving can help those in need or support a worthy cause; it can also lower your income tax expense. Eligible donations of cash, as well as items, are tax deductible, but be sure that the recipient is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and keep your donation receipts.
Why is it important to donate to the poor? ›
Giving brings us closer to creating the world we want to live in. Today, 1.3 billion people around the world experience multidimensional poverty. That means they live in an environment that doesn't provide basic access to healthcare, education, or living standards.
