Covering the business of education and training

As if some schools didn't have enough money already. Still, they are worthy targets of private donors, looking for a tax write-off, or perhaps seriously trying to make a difference in the world by giving back.

US colleges and universities received $28 billion in charitable donations last year, up 9.4%. Alumni giving was 30% of that...up 18.3%.

Good schools turn out good people who do well in their chosen profession and give back generously. Makes sense.

The top ten schools on the donation receiving list.

10. University of Wisconsin - $325 million

 9. Duke - $332

 8. Columbia - $377.28

 7. Johns Hopkins $377.34 (If only someone else had given Columbia $61K more.)

 6. USC - $405

 5. Cornell - $406

 4. UPenn - $409

 3. Yale - $433

 2. Harvard - far far ahead of # 3, Yale - $594.

 1. Stanford - $911 One gift from Yahoo founder, Jerry Yang and his wife, made the difference. And didn't the Google founders go there? And Tiger Woods and ???

Good school, good graduates, good jobs, good giving...and receiving. It makes sense.

How much money are you willing to donate to your alma mater?

USA TODAY