Philanthropic Giving in Higher Education

Every year, billions are pumped into University Endowment Funds. The $32 billion Harvard has sitting in a bank earned it $6 million every ten hours on interest alone. Recently, University of Southern California (USC) announced a $6 billion dollar fundraising campaign. Yet, across the board, tuition rates have risen four times faster than the rate of inflation, and an endless number of individuals worldwide are priced out of education. The community colleges what were created to assist in providing an affordable option to service individuals in need throughout the United States are struggling to make ends meet in the midst of massive budget cuts. The gap between available, affordable education and education for the privileged elite isn’t just growing – it’s actually creating a situation where soon there may not be many affordable options left if there isn’t a disruptive change.

It doesn’t need to be so difficult for low income tiered individuals to attain higher education and create opportunities to break out of poverty and achieve their dreams. With only one thousandth of the $6 billion USC is asking, the tuition-free, nonprofit University of the People (UoPeople) will be fully financially sustainable. While UoPeople is an excellent institution, it can’t possibly service alone the hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide in need. Thus, the hope is that universities, governments, and nonprofits will follow suit to adopt the innovative UoPeople model and provide additional affordable offerings worldwide and disrupt the current status quo.

Philanthropic giving in education is a beautiful gift to the world and future generations. For only $6 million, UoPeople will be able to educate tens of thousands of individuals, forever. Help UoPeople reach sustainability. You can change the present cycle and help make education a right for all, and not a privilege for a few.