Fewbruary 27, 2025
From the Desk of
Carl G. Hamm ¦ Partner
Arthur Criscillis Honored By CASE III
Congratulations to Arthur L. Criscillis, Ed.D., for being awarded this year’s Distinguished Service Award from CASE District III. As the Managing Partner at Alexander Haas, Arthur directs the firm’s higher education practice, boasting over 30 years of experience in higher education and consulting. Prior to joining Alexander Haas, Arthur managed the advancement programs for Purdue University College of Science, Rhodes College, and Centre College. He transitioned from advancement roles at colleges and universities to consulting to have the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of institutions.
The CASE Distinguished Service Award honors inspirational advancement professionals whose achievements and contributions to CASE have created a significant and enduring impact on institutional advancement. This award recognizes individuals who exemplify the spirit of CASE, especially in leadership and the generosity of sharing knowledge with the community of practice, earning the respect and admiration of their colleagues.
Congratulations Arthur!
Pictured: Peter Rooney (presentation), Erica Arroyo (chair, D3), Arthur Criscillis (recipient), Amanda Trabue (chair, awards program).
How U.S. Charitable Giving Is Changing
Although the $557 billion donated to charity by Americans in 2023 represents a 2.1% decline when adjusted for inflation, U.S. donations have increased significantly over the past two decades. According to Giving USA, giving has grown by approximately 42% since 2003. However, while overall charitable contributions have risen, the most recent available data shows that the percentage of Americans who give to charitable causes has decreased. This share dropped from 66.2% of all U.S. adults in 2000 to 45.8% in 2020. The total amount donated has risen, but the percentage of Americans who are donors has fallen.
Research has shown that the long-term decline in Americans’ participation in charitable giving accelerated during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportion of Americans who contributed to charity dropped from 49.6% in 2018, the last year for which data is available, to 45.8% in 2020 — an almost 4% decrease over two years. The rate of Americans giving to charity had declined by 3.5% in the previous two years, suggesting that the pandemic may have hastened the decrease in the participation rate for giving.
Positive news: Donors who continue to support charities are contributing more than before, even when adjusted for inflation. The total amount the typical U.S. donor gave increased from $3,131 in 2018 to $3,651 in 2020, reflecting a 16.6% rise over just two years. Research also indicates that American donors with higher incomes, greater education, and more wealth are donating larger sums than they previously did.
The declining numbers of American donors are significant because philanthropy plays a key role in meeting the spiritual, intellectual, and material needs and aspirations of people from all backgrounds. COP, 2-12
Younger Donors: Issue-Driven & Technology-Focused
A new report from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy finds that giving across all generations between 2003 and 2021 has declined since 2008. Generation Z and Millennial donors are more focused on supporting issues than on specific organizations and consider themselves active social change agents. In addition, these donors are decidedly tech-forward, learning about and advocating for causes on social media, making donations online, and participating in crowdfunding at higher rates than older generations.
Other Key Findings
PND, 2-4
Welcome Returning Client Partner
We Know Colleges & Universities
For more than 35 years, Alexander Haas has been a fixture in the nonprofit community. We are honored to have worked with so many large and small college and universities; both public and private institutions, across the country. These schools that help mold today’s young adults into tomorrow’s leaders. Take a look at our list of higher education clients, past and present.
A Fresh Approach to Fundraising
Our services aren’t cookie cutter. We don’t operate with a boilerplate, merely changing names and locations. We craft each and every service we provide to match your organization’s unique needs, wants and abilities. We work hard and expect you to do the same. Together we can help you transform your institution, your fundraising, and the community you serve.
Whether your need is in Capital Campaign, Annual Fund Campaign, Major Gifts, Leadership Annual Giving, Planned Giving or all of the above, we take a fresh approach to nonprofit fundraising.
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