Correspondence: Xiaogeng Sun, Anchorage School District 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd. Anchorage AK 99504, USA. Phone: +1 907 743 0599; Fax: +1 907 743 0599; Email: Sun_Xiaogeng@asdk12.org

¹earned a Ph.D. in educational studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is the Assistant Director of Program Evaluation in the Anchorage School District, Alaska.

²is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in educational leadership. Her research interests are in leadership theory and developing organizational strategic capacity.

³earned a Ph.D. and is Professor of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research interests are in leadership theory, leader preparation, and advocacy.

Received 29 October 2007; Revised 29 October 2007.

Abstract

Despite readily available alumni survey data warehoused at many alumni associations and foundations across colleges and universities, researchers have underutilized the abundant available data to identify key predictors of alumni donation, including factors that trigger alumni donation behavior. Utilizing the data from a two-year alumni survey conducted at a Midwest public university, a multivariate causal model that captures the determinants of alumni donation was applied to the data. Four hypotheses were tested. Three were found to be significant.

Based on a multivariate causal model that analyzed data from a two-year alumni survey, the findings suggest that alumni fundraisers and higher education administrators may increase alumni solicitations if they collaboratively create a comprehensive communication strategy to reach alumni; focus on current students as future funders, provide quality educational experiences to students; encourage and support relationship building between faculty and current students and graduates; enhance alumni services based on stakeholders needs; and most importantly, redirect and expand efforts to connect with older female alumni.