Colleges Do Too Little to Attract Support From Younger Alumni

A new survey of 700 young alumni, mostly from the U.S. News & World Report’s 100 top-ranked national universities, finds that they tend not to donate in high numbers because of student-loan debt and because they say colleges have not done enough to connect with them outside of asking for money, says The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The survey, conducted by Engagement Strategies Group, a higher-education consulting firm in Washington, determined that the top reason why 8 out of 10 alumna under the age of 35 don’t give is that they believe they have already supported the institutions through tuition payments. Additionally, only 55 percent think that their alma maters value their relationships with them and keep them informed.

In an opinion article for the Chronicle of Higher Education, focusing on this emerging problem, James M. Langley, former vice president for advancement at Georgetown University, suggests various ways that colleges can engage younger alumni.

(A paid subscription is required to view both Chronicle articles.)