Alumni giving at Arkansas Tech University: College experiences and motivations to give as predictors of giving behavior.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of the "Lost Generation" alumni who ended their attendance or graduated from Arkansas Tech University (Tech) between January 1973 and December 1995 relating to their demographic characteristics, perceptions of college experiences, involvement with Tech after graduation, and attitudes about Tech now. Examining this information allowed for the development of profiles of donors and non-donors and to determine significance between certain characteristics and factors and donor status.;The target population was the "Lost Generation" alumni. The study sample was members of the population who had a valid email address on record with the Tech Development Office. An electronic survey instrument was used to collect data from the study sample.;The demographic data were used to create profiles of donors and non-donors. It was found that donors and non-donors were very similar in their demographic characteristics.;For alumni ending their attendance or graduating from Tech between January 1973 and December 1995, no significant differences were found between donors and non-donors based upon their gender, major while a student at Tech, or location of current residence. Significant differences were found between donors and non-donors concerning involvement with Tech after graduation or leaving, college experiences, and their attitudes about Tech now.;There are a number of conclusions and recommendations for improved practice resulting from the study. Non-donors who share similar demographic characteristics with donors should be the focus of cultivation efforts as they are the most likely to change their behavior. Targeted fundraising should include alumni from specific departments or programs, legacy families, and population centers of alumni away from campus.;Alumni need to be educated on key points: the specific needs of the university and the need for private giving to public institutions. They also need to understand that they control how their money is used, even when giving to the annual fund.;Partnerships should be formed between the development office and academic departments and student affairs. Everyone needs to understand the relationship between student experiences and future giving behaviors. Current students should also be educated about why private giving is important.