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Diversifying donor bases for higher education institutions
Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing,
6
(2),
180-190
(2021)
Abstract
In 2020, institutions of higher education grappled with a new urgency around addressing diversity and inclusion on their campuses as the US processed the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted profound inequities both on campus and off. Much of this work has focused on diversity of the student and faculty populations, as well as the content of curriculum. In this paper, we argue that addressing the diversification of the donor base to these institutions is just as critical and urgent, though has perhaps not been as central a focus as other aspects of diversity on campus. This paper will touch on the biased systems and fundraising infrastructure that have perpetuated the cultivation of homogenous groups of donors to colleges and universities. We will also provide potential next steps available to colleges and universities that would support the diversification of a donor base. This includes collecting demographic information about donors, building cultural competence among fundraisers and developing quantitative measures around this work.
Keywords: diversity; equity; inclusion; alumni engagement; donor pipeline; fundraising data; bias
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Milagro ‘Misa’ Lobato is the Director of Prospect Management and Analytics at the Rhode Island School of Design. She is also the President of Apra, an international professional association that serves, represents and advances members who work at the intersection of fundraising and data. This includes professionals working in prospect intelligence and identification, data science, relationship management, campaign planning and feasibility. She has served on the Apra board since 2016 and held leadership roles in governance, conference planning, membership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Previously, Milagro was the Assistant Vice President of Advancement Strategy and Annual Giving at the University of Colorado, where she worked in Advancement for over 13 years. She has a degree in Ethnic Studies and English Literature from the University of Colorado.
