Rebecca Richards

Rebecca serves as the Program Associate for the Fund for Academic Renewal. She provides general support, research, and content to help higher education donors reach their philanthropic goals. Born and raised in Maine, Rebecca graduated from Baylor University in 2018 with a University Scholar’s Degree, concentrating in philosophy. She participated in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core honors program and spent her junior year at Oxford. During college, she worked as a research assistant on the Federalist Papers, in state policy research, and as an archivist. After graduation, Rebecca was a John Jay Fellow with the John Jay Institute in Philadelphia. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and adding to her collection of Agatha Christie novels

Giving as a family affair

Giving as a family can help cultivate a philanthropic spirit in kids while helping preserve your giving values.

Rebecca Richards / 3 min read

Disappointed higher ed donors have options

It can be hard for donors to support higher education in keeping with their values. But there are options at universities all across the country.

Rebecca Richards / 3 min read

Donor intent should be better protected

Even with a gift agreement, donors have little recourse in the event of their intent being flouted. There are state Senate bills under review to change that.

Rebecca Richards / 3 min read

Giving while living for higher education

A recent gift to California Lutheran University shows how donors and recipients can work together to marry the donor’s vision and the university’s needs.

Rebecca Richards / 3 min read

Yale’s new planned giving policies signal trouble ahead for legacy givers

Universities should use gift agreements to preserve donor intent—and to best serve the interests of the university.

Emily Koons Jae & Rebecca Richards / 3 min read