With state funding for higher education continuing to decline, there is increased pressure for institutions to close the funding gap with philanthropic support. As we consider the growing importance of philanthropy in higher education, a shift must occur where philanthropy is no longer defined simply as “giving money”, but instead is considered an act of generosity to transform the wellbeing of others. This paradigm shift illustrates the need for higher education to make systematic changes to how it approaches philanthropy (Ruffalo, 2017).
This session will provide a broad overview of philanthropy at Mason and will incorporate interactive elements throughout that will allow attendees to reflect on the role they can play in building a culture of philanthropy and a legacy of giving at their institution. Whether you are just starting to think about philanthropy and how it relates to your unit or you have current practices in place to raise funds, this session is intended for anyone interested in expanding their thoughts and engaging in dialogue around philanthropy.
