FUNDRAISING RESOURCES

How to fundraise for Universities and colleges?

This complete guide explores grants, corporate sponsorships, and innovative fundraising strategies for universities. Our in-depth analysis reveals practical ways to improve funding efforts.

Top 5 grants for Universities and colleges nonprofits in 2025

Unlock funding for your nonprofit with grants designed for Universities and colleges. Explore government, foundation, and corporate grants to expand your impact.

Higher Education Challenge Grants Program

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Up to $750,000

Government

Supports creative, non-traditional approaches to address educational needs in food and agricultural sciences at colleges and universities.

Apply

Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative

Lilly Endowment Inc.

Up to $1 million

Private Foundation

Supports theological schools to strengthen institutional capacities for preparing pastoral leaders for Christian churches.

Apply

Community Clean Energy 2025 Grant Program

San Diego Foundation

Varies

Foundation

Funds new and existing projects that move communities towards a healthier, more sustainable, clean energy future.

Apply

National Grassroots Organizing Program

Ben & Jerry's Foundation

Up to $30,000 per year for two years

Private Foundation

Supports small, constituent-led grassroots organizations addressing social and environmental injustice.

Apply

Religion and Theology Program Responsive Grants

Henry Luce Foundation

Varies

Private Foundation

Supports initiatives that cross religious, racial, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries to advance public understanding of religion.

Apply

Top 5 companies donating to Universities and colleges nonprofits in 2025

Partner with businesses that share your mission! Corporate sponsorships can provide funding, in-kind donations, and visibility to help your nonprofit expand and sustain Universities and colleges efforts.

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Top 5 best fundraising platforms for Universities and colleges

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DonorBox Logo
Transaction fees
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  • Stripe: 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction
  • PayPal: 1.99% + $0.49 per transaction
  • ACH/Bank transfer: 0.8% ($5 maximum)

2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Up to ‍5% + 35¢ per transaction

Platform fees
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1.75% platform fees. 2.95% platform fees for event ticketing, membership payments and P2P campaigns. Reduced fees for pro and premium plans.
No platform fees but ask for donor contribution
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Monthly fees
$0 / month
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Donorbox offers 3 subscription plan: Standard $0/month | Pro $139/month | Premium custom pricing
No monthly fees
Value for money
Capterra ratings
4.9 / 5
4.5/5
4.7/5
N/A
4.5/5
Ease-of-use
Capterra ratings
4.8 / 5
4.0/5
4.7/5
N/A
4.4/5
Quality of support
4.9 / 5
3.8/5
4.8/5
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4.8/5

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10 Best fundraising ideas for Universities and colleges in 2025

Innovative fundraising fuels your mission. From peer-to-peer campaigns to community events, explore creative ways to raise funds and ensure long-term success for your Universities and colleges.

1

Alumni Giving Challenge

Launch a month-long digital campaign challenging alumni to make donations based on their graduation year (e.g., $20.24 for 2024 graduates). Use social media, email marketing, and a dedicated microsite to drive engagement. Showcase real-time progress and highlight impact stories to motivate participation.

2

Campus-Wide Sustainability Fair

Organize a large-scale sustainability fair featuring eco-friendly vendors, workshops, and presentations. Charge entry fees, offer sponsorship opportunities, and host a silent auction for sustainable products. Collaborate with environmental science departments and local green businesses to showcase innovations and raise funds for campus sustainability initiatives.

3

Personalized Campus Brick Campaign

Sell personalized bricks or pavers to be installed in a high-traffic area of campus, such as a new walkway or plaza. Allow donors to engrave names, class years, or short messages. Create an interactive online platform for brick customization and showcase the installation progress through time-lapse videos and virtual tours.

4

Corporate Match-a-Thon

Organize a 24-hour online giving event focused on maximizing corporate matching gifts. Partner with local and national companies to offer enhanced matching ratios during specific time blocks. Provide real-time updates on matching opportunities and total impact. Offer exclusive digital badges or recognition for donors who secure matches.

5

Virtual Homecoming Run/Walk

Host a virtual run/walk event during homecoming week, allowing alumni and supporters worldwide to participate. Provide a mobile app for tracking progress, sharing photos, and connecting with fellow participants. Offer tiered registration fees with different swag options. Encourage team formations based on graduation years or departments.

6

AI-Powered Scholarship Fundraising Bot

Develop an AI chatbot that engages potential donors in personalized conversations about creating named scholarships. The bot can provide real-time simulations of scholarship impact, suggest giving levels, and guide donors through the process of establishing a scholarship fund. Integrate the bot with the university's website and social media platforms.

7

Campus Treasure Hunt App

Create a gamified mobile app that leads users on a treasure hunt across campus, highlighting historical landmarks, famous alumni spots, and little-known facts. Sell app downloads with proceeds going to the university's preservation fund. Include in-app purchases for clues and bonus content. Partner with local businesses for prize sponsorships.

8

Interdepartmental Innovation Challenge

Host a university-wide innovation challenge where departments compete to develop solutions for real-world problems. Invite corporate sponsors to judge and potentially fund winning ideas. Sell tickets to a grand finale event where finalists present their projects. Allocate proceeds to research and innovation funds across participating departments.

9

Alumni-Owned Business Marketplace

Create an online marketplace exclusively featuring products and services from alumni-owned businesses. Charge businesses a listing fee and take a small percentage of sales. Promote the marketplace during homecoming, graduation, and other key university events. Offer special discounts to current students and recent graduates.

10

Micro-Internship Fundraising Program

Develop a platform connecting students with alumni and local businesses for short-term, paid micro-internships. Charge businesses a placement fee and encourage them to make additional donations to support the program. Use a portion of the fees to fund scholarships for students participating in unpaid internships.

Frequently Asked Questions

<div ms-code-snippet-q="1">What are the most effective digital fundraising strategies for universities in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="1">The most effective digital fundraising strategies for universities in 2025 include personalized, donor-centric approaches powered by AI and data analytics. Focus on mobile-first interactions, as younger donors prefer digital channels. Implement social fundraising campaigns, leveraging peer-to-peer platforms to reach $1.1+ billion in collective revenue. Optimize your website for search engines (SEO) and utilize Google Ad Grants for free advertising. Develop a strong monthly giving program, as subscription-based donations are on the rise. Lastly, create compelling content that showcases your impact and aligns with donors' values, especially for younger generations who prioritize transparency and mission-driven storytelling[1][7][9].</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="2">How can universities increase alumni donations in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="2">To increase alumni donations in 2025, universities should focus on digital engagement and personalization. Utilize email, social media, texting, and online giving days as these are the top channels for alumni donations. Implement AI-driven personalization to tailor outreach based on individual alumni interests and giving history. Create authentic, impactful experiences that resonate with younger alumni who give based on personal connection rather than loyalty. Develop a strong social media presence to foster community and showcase impact. Consider implementing a matching gift program to encourage corporate donations. Lastly, focus on transparent communication about how donations are used and the tangible impact they have on students and the institution[2][3][7].</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="3">What are the predicted fundraising trends for higher education in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="3">Key fundraising trends for higher education in 2025 include a projected 3.9% increase in overall giving. Expect a rise in mega-donors contributing gifts of $100 million or more, accounting for a significant portion of total support. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) will continue to grow, with a quarter of all DAF grant funding going to higher education. Digital and mobile-first interactions will dominate, especially for younger donors. Subscription-based giving models will gain popularity, offering predictable revenue streams. AI and data analytics will drive hyper-personalized fundraising efforts. Lastly, there will be an increased focus on donor retention strategies, as retaining donors is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones[1][5][7][9].</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="4">How can universities optimize their online donation pages for maximum conversions?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="4">To optimize online donation pages for maximum conversions, universities should focus on clear structure and compelling calls-to-action. Use consistent branding to build trust and include a brief mission summary to reinforce the impact of donations. Implement suggested giving amounts to guide donors and make recurring giving options easily accessible. Integrate a matching gift search tool to capitalize on corporate giving programs. Ensure mobile responsiveness and follow web accessibility guidelines. Keep forms concise, asking only for essential information to prevent abandonment. Use PCI-compliant payment processors for security. After submission, provide a clear confirmation page and follow up with a donation receipt. Continuously A/B test different elements to improve conversion rates[2][4].</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="5">What government policies may impact university fundraising in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="5">In 2025, several government policies may significantly impact university fundraising. The potential expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) will prompt debates on tax policy, potentially affecting charitable giving incentives. Nonprofit leaders are advocating for the reinstatement and expansion of legislation allowing charitable deductions for non-itemizers, which could boost small individual donations. Additionally, proposed legislation like H.R. 9495 could impact the tax-exempt status of nonprofits, though it faced opposition in 2024. Universities should stay informed about these policy discussions and engage in advocacy efforts to support favorable fundraising conditions. Institutions can leverage resources from organizations like AFP to understand and respond to legislative changes affecting the nonprofit sector[9].</div>