Pac-12 set to add Boise, 3 other MW schools I don't think it's wrong to ask for money or to try to make it easier for those to give it. There's nothing wrong with asking for help. This is one of the best public universities in the country that just so happens to have a small, but historic football program, trying to stay one of the best public universities in the country. Yes, there have been some major donors over the years, but it's not built on private school legacy billionaires. I'm sure the school has tried and keeps trying to find them.
If one doesn't feel thanked enough for their donation, and it leads to burned bridges, that's too bad. And not everyone's always ready or in a place to give. It's hard to please everyone, but hopefully the majority feel like their contributions made a difference. Outside of my full-time job and being a dad, I'm on the board of numerous groups, raising money for students and the community ($20k this year!), never expecting thanks for this volunteer work, or expecting to meet the people who've benefited... in one of the groups, Rotary, we say, "Service Above Self." Helping the cause is reason enough.