German universities are hoping to find a way out of chronic underfunding through the introduction of successful fundraising strategies from the USA. Spectacular reports of individual donations in the millions demonstrate that there is also a willingness to support science and education in Germany. However, developing a fundraising strategy is a complex process that requires structural embedding, clear goals, and many collaborators to be successful. Fundraising, understood as a central part of university marketing, provides important impulses for reorientation towards stakeholders, politics, and society, especially in light of current reform efforts in higher education and beyond its procurement aspect. Christine Mannhardt presents an informative overview of the prerequisites for successful university fundraising, as well as suitable projects and target groups in the initial phase, illustrated with numerous best-practice examples from German universities. The author, who has worked in the fundraising department of a music university, raises the question of how university success concepts can be transferred to music colleges and what specific measures and projects they define for their fundraising efforts.