An Enduring Commitment to Students: Practices to Establish, Build, and Endow Basic Needs Services

ABSTRACT This article analyzes successful basic needs fundraising campaigns at Georgetown University and George Washington University. By comparing the founding, expansion, and endowing of each institution's basic needs services, the authors identify innovative practices for other higher education institutions to establish and grow their own basic needs endowments. The authors found that despite having different campus cultures and fundraising approaches, both Georgetown University and George Washington University were effective in building financially sustainable basic needs endowments. Recommended funding practices include: enlisting executive leaders to champion the initiatives, starting with modest fundraising campaigns, yet maintaining a steady pace of fundraising to build endowments, situating students at the heart of basic needs fundraising efforts, and focusing on engaging alumni, student, and family donors. The authors conclude that basic needs services resonate well with many prospective donors, while also empowering students and engaging campus community members.