What it is
Alumni giving for scholarships means graduates and former students contribute money, often through a school's foundation or advancement office, to fund awards for students. Some gifts are one-time, some are recurring, and some are set up to support a named scholarship over many years.
Scholarships funded by alumni can take different forms. Some are open to any student who qualifies, while others are created around a field of study, a background, a club, or a person the donor wants to honor. The school usually sets the rules for how awards are chosen and given.
Alumni giving sits alongside other sources such as grants, community partners, and events. Many schools treat it as a way to build lasting relationships, not just raise funds, because graduates often care about the place that shaped them.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Traditionally, schools have reached alumni through mailed letters, phone calls, reunion events, and printed magazines. An annual appeal, often tied to a class year or milestone reunion, has been a common starting point.
Over time, many programs added email, online giving pages, social media, and class-based challenges. Some also host dinners or recognition events and share stories from scholarship recipients so donors can see the purpose behind their gifts.
Larger or more lasting gifts are often discussed in person, sometimes with help from a development or advancement office. Each school has its own gift acceptance policies, naming rules, and approval steps, so practices differ from one institution to the next.
How the right fundraising expert may help
The right independent fundraising expert may help you clarify your goals, organize your alumni information, and shape a message that explains why scholarships matter. They may also help you think through how to thank donors and report back on how gifts are used.
A first conversation is generally a chance to describe your school, your scholarship needs, and your current outreach. The expert may ask about your alumni contact list, your approval process, and who on your team would carry out the plan. Because this is an independent directory, it's wise to speak with more than one person and compare approaches.
Good questions to ask include: What experience do you have with scholarship or alumni programs like ours? How would you work within our school's policies? How do you communicate and measure progress without making promises about results? What would you need from us, and how are your fees structured?
The bigger picture
Raising scholarship money can feel both meaningful and stressful. Staff and volunteers may carry worry about reaching students in need, while alumni may feel pride, nostalgia, or pressure when asked to give. A calm, respectful approach can help everyone feel good about taking part.
It also helps to think about your own capacity and peace of mind. Planning a realistic effort, asking for support when you need it, and keeping your finances and time in balance can make the work more sustainable. If personal wellbeing is on your mind, Providers.plus may be one place to explore supportive resources.
Keep in mind
- Check with your school or district before planning any fundraiser, since policies and approval processes vary and can change over time.
- If your plan includes a raffle, drawing, or other game of chance, check current state and local rules first, as laws vary widely and a permit may be required.
- Whether a gift is tax-deductible depends on whether it goes to a qualified tax-exempt organization and on current IRS rules, so confirm with a tax professional.
- This page is educational only, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and no fundraising approach can guarantee results.
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
Keep exploring
College & scholarship fundraising
Frequently asked questions
What is alumni giving for scholarships?
Alumni giving for scholarships is when former students donate to help fund awards for current or future students. Gifts may go to a general scholarship fund or a named award. The school's foundation or advancement office usually manages how gifts are received and awarded.
How do schools usually ask alumni to give to scholarships?
Schools commonly use letters, emails, phone outreach, online giving pages, and reunion events. Many also share recipient stories so donors can see the purpose of their support. Methods vary by school and may change over time.
Can an independent fundraising expert help with alumni giving for scholarships?
An independent fundraising expert may help you plan outreach, organize alumni information, and shape clear messaging. They may also offer ideas for thanking donors and reporting back. They cannot promise specific results, and it's wise to compare more than one option.
Are gifts to a scholarship fund tax-deductible?
It depends on whether the gift goes to a qualified tax-exempt organization and on current IRS rules. This page cannot say whether a gift to your specific fundraiser is or isn't deductible. Please confirm with a tax professional.
Do I need approval before starting an alumni scholarship fundraiser?
Often yes, but requirements vary. Schools and districts have their own fundraising policies and approval steps, and these can change. Check with your school or district before you begin planning.
Can I hold a raffle to raise scholarship money from alumni?
Maybe, but rules differ significantly by state and sometimes by city or county, and a permit is often required. Check current state and local rules before planning any raffle or game of chance.
Educational resource. Fundraising For Education shares general information and connects people with independent fundraising experts. It is not professional advice. Talk with a qualified professional about your own situation.