Columbia University facing 'donor crisis' after anti-Israel protests on campus

Columbia University saw a sharp decline in donations during its 2024 annual fundraiser, with contributions dropping nearly 29 per cent following a series of anti-Israel protests earlier this year, reported the New York Post.

The Columbia Spectator , a campus newspaper, cited the university's handling of campus protests as the root of a " donor crisis ." Anti-Israel protests reignited in September as the 2024-2025 academic year began. This situation has compounded Columbia’s challenges, leading to increased criticism, particularly regarding how the university managed these demonstrations.

The university's " Giving Day " event raised $21.4 million in 2024, falling short of the $30 million raised in 2022, the last time the event was held. The 2023 event was postponed due to the October 7 Hamas attack and subsequent protests, according to a report from Columbia Spectator.

The university’s athletics department emerged as the top fundraiser for the first time, bringing in $4.6 million, a record for the department. Columbia College, which had held the top spot for 11 years, raised $3.5 million, while the School of Engineering and Applied Science followed with $3.2 million.

In addition to the overall financial drop, Columbia also experienced a notable 28 per cent decline in the number of individual gifts, with contributions falling from 19,229 in 2022 to 13,870 in 2024—the lowest since 2015. This marks a significant reversal after 10 consecutive years of increasing donations.

Columbia University was also one of several Ivy League schools investigated by the Department of Education in December for potential civil rights violations under Title VI. Despite these setbacks, a Columbia spokesperson expressed gratitude to the university’s community of alumni, parents, and friends for their ongoing support, acknowledging the crucial role their contributions play in supporting students and the university’s mission.