University Foundations and Philanthropic Fundraising in Chinese Higher Education: a Promising Trend with Challenges

Abstract This study overviews policies and practice of philanthropic fundraising in Chinese universities with a focus on university foundations. It briefly reviews the theoretical dimensions of philanthropic fundraising in higher education from a global perspective and university philanthropic fundraising models as well as their applications in Chinese universities. It shows the important role of university foundations in generating philanthropic revenue in Chinese universities. By identifying challenges and the general trends, it explores strategies for sustainable philanthropic fundraising for Chinese universities, which may provide stakeholders with a helpful and relevant reference to promote philanthropic fundraising of Chinese universities. It also gives a general guidance of philanthropic fundraising strategies for Chinese universities.