Donations to universities decline during coronavirus crisis

University revenue from donations is likely to be cut by tens of percentage points over the next several years, according to senior sources from Israel’s higher education system, writes Lior Dattel for Haaretz.

Donations are down an estimated 30% to 40% this year, while other sources say the hit is probably even larger – down as much as 50% from what universities took in last year. The immediate impact of this will be on the universities’ capacity to build new buildings and improve research and teaching over the next several years. They will also be less capable of assisting students in financial crises.

Donations are down because the coronavirus crisis hit some of the universities’ major donors abroad. In addition, many foreign donors who donated to Israel in the past are now redirecting their money to their own communities in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Full report on the Haaretz site