Higher education relies on the philanthropy of many individuals to sustain and to expand its intellectual endeavors at home and abroad. Motivations for philanthropy to higher education coalesce around a myriad of factors and these motivations encompass the scope of this work. What is described in the following chapters will help both the academic researcher and casual reader understand the dynamics of philanthropic commitment and how history, biography, institutional elements and religion all play decidedly unique roles. How to interpret these roles to replicate individual generosity will spell the future success of American higher education in the years to come.