Fundraising
Despite Historic Returns, Harvard Endowment Still Trails Ivy League Peers
Though the Harvard Management Company reported record-breaking returns last Thursday, several financial experts said it still lags behind the performance of key financial indices and its peer institutions.
Harvard Corporation Senior Fellow Bill Lee Lauds ‘Really Positive’ Fundraising Year Despite Pandemic
Harvard Corporation senior fellow William F. Lee ’72 said in an interview Wednesday that the University expects high fundraising returns by the end of the fiscal year despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Philanthropy’s Glass Ceiling: A Gender Disparity Among Harvard’s Top Donors
Harvard boasts the largest endowment of any university in the world and supplements its finances with hundreds of millions of dollars in donations annually. Despite the scale of Harvard’s philanthropic efforts, a sizable gender disparity persists among the University’s donors.
Harvard Graduate Council Passes Emergency Resolution on Atlanta Shootings, Memorandum on Harvard Email Access
The Harvard Graduate Council heard a presentation on University finances and approved a memorandum recommending extended access to Harvard email addresses during a public meeting Wednesday evening, which took place just hours after the Council passed an emergency resolution in response to last week’s shootings in Atlanta, Ga.
Harvard Releases Gift Policy Guide, Outlines Considerations for Philanthropic Gifts
The first-of-its-kind gift policy guide's listed central priorities include “upholding academic freedom," “adhering to institutional values,” and "avoiding conflicts of interest."
Epstein-Linked Donors Dubin and Wexner Depart from HKS Leadership Council
Donors and billionaires Glenn R. Dubin and Leslie H. Wexner departed from a Harvard Kennedy School board last month, foregrounding students’ concerns regarding Harvard’s ties to donors who cultivated relationships with deceased sex offender Jeffrey E. Epstein.
Harvard Took In $1.1 Billion from 63 Nations from 2013-2019, per Department of Education
Harvard has reported receiving more than $1.1 billion from sources from 63 foreign nations between Jan. 1, 2013 and July 31, 2019, per Education Department data.
Harvard Places Second Among Universities in Total Annual Fundraising, Per Report
After raising $1.4 billion, Harvard came in second among American universities in total funds raised in the last academic fiscal year.
Bacow Says Harvard Conducting 'More Substantial Review' of Gift Policies
University President Lawrence S. Bacow said in an interview last week that Harvard’s review of its gift policies is a “more substantial review” than has been previously conducted in light of a simultaneous inquiry into billionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s donations to the University.
Provost Garber Calls for ‘Principled Approach’ to Reviewing Gifts
As Harvard continues to face scrutiny for accepting donations from controversial figures, University Provost Alan M. Garber ’76 said in an interview Thursday that Harvard must take a “principled approach” to deciding when to return gifts.
Harvard Receives $20 Million Gift to Fund Autism Research Center
Harvard Medical School received a $20 million donation from philanthropists Hock E. Tan and K. Lisa Yang to create a Center for Autism Research, the University announced Thursday.
Harvard Retains External Counsel to Assist Epstein Internal Review
University President Lawrence S. Bacow said in an interview Monday an external law firm is assisting the Office of the General Counsel in their review of donations made to Harvard by billionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey E. Epstein.
Hasty Pudding Donates to Anti-Sex Trafficking Nonprofit Following Criticism of Epstein Donations
In the wake of an August petition calling on the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770 to donate funds connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Hasty Pudding announced a $50,000 donation to an anti-sex trafficking nonprofit Monday.
Hasty Pudding Theatricals Undergrads Petition Grad Members to Donate Epstein-Linked Funds
Current Hasty Pudding Theatricals members and alumni started a petition to the organization’s graduate board last month calling for the Pudding to donate the $50,000 gift it received from a charity connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2016.
Harvard Office of the General Counsel to Review Epstein Donations
Harvard’s Office of the General Counsel will conduct a review of billionaire donor and convicted sex offender Jeffrey E. Epstein’s donations to the University, Vice President and General Counsel Diane E. Lopez announced in an email to Harvard affiliates Friday afternoon.
The Ethics of Harvard Fundraising
Amid outcry over controversial gifts to the University, Harvard has kept its donation acceptance policies under wraps.
Dean for Administration Says Harvard College Looking to Limit Spending
Harvard College is exploring ways to limit spending in preparation for a future fiscal downturn more than ten years after the 2008 financial crisis hit the University, College Dean for Administration Sheila C. Thimba said in an April 30 interview.
Charity Linked to Sex Offender and Harvard Donor Jeffrey Epstein Gave Thousands to Hasty Pudding, Professor’s TV Show
A charity connected to convicted sex offender and Harvard donor Jeffrey E. Epstein gave tens of thousands of dollars to the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770 and a non-profit linked to a Harvard professor, according to tax filings obtained by The Crimson.
Lack of Trust in Capitalist System is Harvard Business School’s Biggest Challenge, Dean Nohria Says
Dean of Harvard Business School Nitin Nohria said one of the most significant challenges facing the school today is the erosion of faith in the capitalist system and business world at large in an interview Tuesday.
American Repertory Theater Receives $100 Million Gift For New Space in Allston
Hedge-fund manager David E. Goel ’93 and Stacey L. Goel donated $100 million to Harvard for an arts research and performance space in Allston, the University announced Thursday.
Activists Call on Harvard to Strip Art Museum of Sackler Name
Local activists and at least one public official are calling on Harvard to remove the Sackler family’s name from their buildings after a memorandum filed in federal court Tuesday alleged the family knowingly understated the risks of its company’s addictive opioid product.
Harvard School of Public Health Turns to Corporate Research Funding As Federal Support Stagnates
While this arrangement offers a new source of much-needed funding, it also raises challenging ethical and management questions for the school.
Harvard Medical School Receives $200 Million Gift — The Largest in School's History
The Blavatnik Family Foundation will donate $200 million to Harvard Medical School, the largest gift in the school’s history, the University announced Thursday.
Harvard Admissions Trial Could Affect Donations — But Experts Are Divided Over How
While some big-ticket donors say the ongoing admissions lawsuit won’t change their giving patterns, fundraising experts are divided on the issue.