Higher Education
Philanthropy that transforms campuses and futures.
In higher education, student impact is at the forefront of every commitment—from scholarships to groundbreaking research to transformative campus projects. Colleges and universities face the challenge of demonstrating this impact, inspiring donors, and advancing their academic mission.
CCS helps institutions of every size and type build a compelling case for support that engages alumni, philanthropists, and community partners alike, strengthening programs and driving measurable results.
CCS has impacted the higher education sector by…
… advising clients with average campaign goals of $201M.
… helping a client secure meaningful new resources, including 14 new staff positions at one institution and 2,300 first-time donors at another.
… achieving record-breaking donations with one college reporting over three-quarters of major donors making their largest-ever gift.
We combine a deep understanding of higher education culture with proven fundraising expertise.
How we do it
Our team works with yours to create strategies that resonate with diverse donor bases, from recent graduates to lifelong benefactors. Whether you need a feasibility study, campaign counsel, leadership gift strategy, or advancement staff training, we design solutions that align with your academic vision and institutional priorities. And we see them through.
Lake Forest College
“As a direct result of CCS’s involvement, the college had our most successful giving day in the six years of its existence in terms of dollars and donors. We will see long-term benefits well beyond the months CCS consulted with us.”
The CCS perspective
on higher education philanthropy
Alumni Engagement Meets Social Media: Path to Young Donor Acquisition
Learn how to leverage social media to engage your young alumni, positioning your higher education institution for long-term success.
Higher Education Fundraising in Practice: Findings from the 2026 Pulse Survey
Of 618 organizations participating in the 2026 Philanthropy Pulse survey in late 2025, 56 self-identified as belonging to the Higher Education sector. Their responses provide insight into how institutions are managing performance through activity-based metrics, strengthening alumni-driven giving, and investing in technology and systems to support fundraising growth.
The Influence of the 2024 Presidential Election on Higher Education Fundraising
This article explores how the election may influence higher education fundraising while offering actionable insights for navigating this season of change and uncertainty.
