Fundraising is an art as well as a science. It requires considerable time and effort and is usually undertaken by more senior faculty with established academic reputations and a track record of notable achievement. As a faculty member, fundraising should be coordinated through your institution’s development office to ensure that the approach to potential donors is carefully coordinated to avoid multiple, sometimes conflicting, requests of a donor. Individual donors include grateful patients, alumni, and even current and former faculty, most of whom donate because of their passion for a cause. Many will desire to have their name or the name of a loved one associated with the program, scholarship, professorship, or building they fund. Donations may also be received from philanthropic foundations. Most donors do not typically donate to cover operating costs. Rather, they donate because they want to see a high-impact program succeed. Indeed, many donors view philanthropyPhilanthropy as an investment, and desire a return on their investment.