Institutional Advancement and Community Colleges: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Community colleges are increasingly turning to fund raising to replace declining federal and state appropriations. This paper provides a review of the higher education literature related to community college fund raising. The review examines the history of public and private financial support of community colleges, describes the differences between fund-raising practices of two- and four-year colleges and universities, and examines development strategies currently recommended for use by community colleges. Such strategies include integrating resource development with institutional planning, staffing foundation boards with individuals who are interested in the college and who are able to solicit donations, and providing strong presidential leadership and support to fund-raising efforts. Recommendations for future research are discussed.