A concise introduction to the current scholarship on philanthropy and fundraising in higher education in the U.S. With the steep decline in state funding for higher education over the past several decades, U.S. colleges and universities are increasingly reliant upon private giving to meet their budgets. Written by a leading expert in the field of education funding, this book addresses the role of philanthropy in higher education in the U.S. It reviews the philanthropy and fundraising literature and assesses the current state of private funding in American higher education. The author explores the theoretical foundations and motivations for voluntary support, and provides an in-depth look at the mechanics of fundraising.