Higher education and stakeholders’ donations: successful civic crowdfunding in an Italian university

Abstract

Can civic crowdfunding be used to improve the structures and services offered by public universities? Are stakeholders willing to make donations to such projects? This paper answers these questions by analysing a successful civic crowdfunding project in an Italian university. Stakeholders were found to be willing to engage in crowdfunding and make donations. The key to success is to ensure effective communication and to draw on feelings of belonging to the institution.

Keywords:

• Crowdfunding
• donations
• higher education
• social engagement
• social innovation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nathalie Colasanti

Nathalie Colasanti is a Research Fellow in the Department of Management and Law, Università degli Studi di Roma ‘Tor Vergata’, Rome, Italy.

Rocco Frondizi

Rocco Frondizi is a Research Fellow in the Department of Management and Law, Università degli Studi di Roma ‘Tor Vergata’, Rome, Italy.

Marco Meneguzzo

Marco Meneguzzo is Full Professor of Strategic Management in the Department of Management and Law, Università degli Studi di Roma ‘Tor Vergata’, Rome, Italy.