Universities are reshaping fundraising strategy amid heightened federal scrutiny and shrinking public research dollars, accelerating donor vetting and reputational risk assessments, advancement leaders say. Institutions are balancing the need to replace declining government research support with more cautious acceptance policies after high-profile controversies over donors and invalid pledges. The shift includes formalized vetting processes, alignment checks with institutional mission and closer oversight of large gifts tied to naming rights or foreign sources, as campuses seek to protect academic autonomy and compliance.