Nationwide, cash gifts to colleges and universities are up despite a shrinking pool of donors. Charitable contributions to U.S. institutions of higher education increased 9 percent in 2013 to $33.8 billion, according to a the latest annual report from the Council for Aid to Education. It's the highest total in the report's history dating back to 1957. At the University of Texas-Austin, the biggest recipient in Texas, charitable giving has recovered nicely since the recession hit in 2008, spokesman Gary Susswein said Monday.