Opinion: Donations to Rich Universities Better Spent Elsewhere

Donors should rethink giving money to universities and colleges that already have massive endowments, says an opinion article in the Los Angeles Times.

Martin Kimel, a government lawyer in the District of Columbia, questions whether universities represent the best social return on donations, especially gifts to elite law and business schools.

Mr. Kimel says that neither students nor society at large benefit from huge gifts, since the money is often used for services most people cannot take advantage of. He thinks universities should consider tapping their endowments rather than raising tuition or starting multibillion-dollar pledge drives, as many institutions have done.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy has reported that many of the nation’s biggest nonprofit institutions, including the wealthiest colleges, have big campaigns under way.

(A paid subscription is required to view the Chronicle article.)