Philanthropy Cannot Leave a Void in Universities

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The recent radical anti-Israel protests and the hesitant response of university leaders worldwide have raised ethical and practical questions for many longtime academic philanthropists, who view their contributions to advance scholarly research and the pursuit of knowledge as a form of civic engagement and activism. Society entrusts universities in democracies with two primary responsibilities: upholding scientific standards and promoting democratic values. A delicate balance between philanthropic support and interference must be maintained to ensure academic freedom, yet donors select beneficiaries that embody their moral, ethical, and civic values. What should the donors do when a beneficiary university breaks the unwritten contract and betrays its values?

Jewish and Zionist philanthropists have faced this question in recent months, with many responding by withdrawing their donations from universities as an act of civic protest. I will argue that withdrawing funds misses the goal of philanthropic activism.

Consider the work of volunteer board members in a local community center. They invest no funds but contribute time, expertise, and energy because they feel integral to the community and want it to thrive. They promote issues they believe are essential to its overall health. Now, imagine that the community begins to go against the values of the board members. The board members have two options: quit to declare their frustration and disappointment (and be swiftly replaced by new board members with different agendas) or continue to serve and invest their resources strategically to influence the community’s trajectory.

Philanthropy is a mode of civic participation that seeks to influence the community in which it operates. Donors withdrawing financial support when their values are undermined effectively relinquish their power over the situation. In politics, every void is immediately filled. The same applies to the civic sphere. Other investors, who may feel more comfortable with the current university leadership, will rush in and strengthen the prevailing discourse.

Those wishing to influence reality cannot afford to leave and create a void. Our civic duty is to use every lawful form of power available to influence this dangerous situation. Philanthropists have an unparalleled power to challenge university leaders, confront the current discourse, and demand changes to practices that undermine their moral and ethical values.