Corporate support of higher education: trends in Canada and the United States

Abstract

<p>U.S. and Canadian trends in corporate philanthropy and support of higher education are presented for the past 11 to 15 years. Comparative analyses reveal different corporate priorities and giving agendas which signal the need for unique approaches to university and college fundraising in each country. Though the percentage of U. S. corporate contributions allocated to higher education has not changed in 11 years, Canada's institutions of higher education appear to be competing directly with beneficiaries in culture and the arts, in terms of annual corporate giving priorities. Regarding allocations for various purposes within higher education, U.S. firms tend to have sponsorship agendas that follow established priorities and are programmatic in nature, unlike Canadian companies whose support for these purposes has varied considerably. This gives university and college fundraisers in Canada an opportunity to establish and nurture long-term programs of corporate support for capital projects, research, and student financial aid.</p>