The study examined the relationship between recession and alumni contributions to institutions of higher education for operational expenses and capital expenditures that include property, buildings, and equipment. Identifying variables that may decrease alumni contributions is important because decreased state funding for higher education institutions and increased costs of maintaining higher education infrastructure have created growing demand for alternative means of funding. The scope of this study included 54 public and private college and universities in the states of Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. The collection of archival data from the Council for Aid to Education VSE databases provided data for this study. The variable under consideration is the effect of current macroeconomic recessions that occurred from 2000 to 2010 on alumni contributions to their respective colleges and universities. In addition, the application of contributions received (if any) to sustaining programs or capital programs were also considered. The study concluded that there is no significant difference among the mean total alumni donations given in the years 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2009. It is further concluded that there is no significant interaction between the year of alumni donations and the school category (public or private). Additionally, it is concluded there is no significant difference between the alumni donations to operating funds in public (non-secular) versus private (non-secular) universities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]