Harvard fundraising slumps after antisemitism controversy

Published On Oct 18, 2024, 5:23 PM

Harvard University experienced a significant drop in fundraising for the fiscal year 2024, with total donations decreasing by $151 million, which is a 14% decline from the previous year. The decrease was primarily due to a sharp drop in endowment donations, which fell nearly $193 million, despite a rise in current use gifts by $42 million. This downturn is attributed to backlash against the university's handling of antisemitism on campus, especially following protests linked to the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel. Harvard officials have warned that current fundraising levels may not be sustainable, and future improvements are uncertain as the university attempts to recover from this controversy.