Profile

Project title: Fundraising and the Discourse of Elite Philanthropy in U.S. Higher Education

Project description: Elite philanthropy has long played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of higher education. Elite donors contribute significant resources to top tier U.S. Universities; funding scholarships, research initiatives, infrastructure, and various programs that drive academic excellence, groundbreaking innovation, and long-term financial sustainability.

Professional fundraisers, who work with elite donors on identifying, crafting, and exploiting major giving opportunities, are positioned as key actors within the philanthropic system. They play an important role in managing donor relationships and ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes for both donors and universities. However, the role of fundraising professionals in working proactively with elite donors, helping develop landmark projects and crafting their philanthropic identities is not well understood, both professionally and academically.

The goal of this research, therefore, is to examine how leading U.S. fundraising departments engage with elite philanthropists and investigate the role of public fundraising texts (for example, press releases issued after major donations) in shaping philanthropic identities and contributing to the broader narratives surrounding elite philanthropy. 

Research interests: At a broad level, my research interests lie at the intersections of philanthropy, business elites, and the role of narratives and storytelling within organizational contexts. 

Supervisors: Professor Charles Harvey and Dr Sara Zaeemdar