Date of Award

12-9-2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

School Name

Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education

Department

Education

Major Advisor

Dr. Mike Vetter

Second Advisor

Dr. Grant Smith

Third Advisor

Dr. Rick Blackwell

Abstract

To explore the effect of volunteering on philanthropic giving to U.S. higher education, the study considered the giving rates of first-time alumni participants in an alumni-student career mentor program as measured over three periods: the year prior to their first year as a mentor, their first year as a mentor, and the year following their first year as a mentor. Using a repeated measure ANOVA statistical method, the study sought to determine if there is a statistically significant variance in the giving rates of these volunteers across the three measures. The study also explored the influence of a participant’s prior giving behavior and subsequent volunteer behavior as it relates to giving variance. The study found that there was a statistically significant increase in the annual giving of alumni volunteers as measured from the year prior to their volunteer experience to the year following their volunteering. However, the analysis suggests that the timing of that significant growth within the three-year period is somewhat dependent on whether the individual was already giving financially prior to the volunteer experience. The findings suggest that the volunteer experience was a complement to giving for the overall study sample, but may have had a temporary substitute effect for those who were already financially supporting the institution.

Download

Share

COinS