An Empirical Study of the Life-Cycle Hypothesis with Respect to Alumni Donations

Determinants of alumni membership in a dues-based alumni association.

“…This is to be expected because a greater level of involvement likely means that a graduate is more committed to the institution and therefore more inclined to demonstrate their loyalty through alumni association membership. This is consistent with findings from the field of alumni giving research, which has found that alumni involvement, particularly through reunion participation, corresponds to alumni giving (Grant & Lindauer, 1986;Holmes, 2008;Olsen, Smith, & Wunnava, 1989;Wunnava & Lauze, 2001). …”

“…Attendance at university reunions, which are typically planned and implemented by alumni associations, is another factor that is positively related to alumni giving (Grant & Lindauer, 1986;Holmes, 2008;Olsen, Smith, & Wunnava, 1989;Wunnava & Lauze, 2001), particularly among major reunion years such as the 25 th and 50 th reunions (Willemain, Goyal, Van Deven, & Thukral, 1994). Hanson (2000) found that attendance at alumni events in general, as well as visits back to campus, led to giving to the alma mater.…”

“…The variables included under the category of alumni involvement consisted of variables found by previous researchers to have had a positive relationship with alumni giving, such as family ties to the institution (Clotfelter, 2003a;Holmes, 2008;Okunade & Berl, 1997;Wunnava & Lauze, 2001); frequency of involvement at university and alumni association events (Grant & Lindauer, 1986;Holmes, 2008;Olsen, Smith, & Wunnava, 1989;Wunnava & Lauze, 2001); positive alumni feelings including loyalty and emotional attachment to the alma mater (Beeler, 1982); and alumni giving history (Lindahl & Winship, 1994;Okunade and Berl, 1997). The other variables, alumni association membership history and residence in an alumni club area, are specific to alumni association membership rather than alumni giving and were not included based on prior research findings, but rather were included based on the researcher's professional experience with alumni relations.…”

Profiles of Supportive Alumni: Donors, Volunteers, and Those Who “Do It All”

“…As age increases and families mature, so does capacity and the likelihood of increased philanthropic contributions to their alma mater ( Pendel, 1985 ;Connolly and Blanchette, 1986 ;Hueston, 1992 ). Many studies suggest that giving is associated with occupation, increases in age and household income ( Olsen et al ., 1989 ;Baade and Sundberg, 1996 ;Belfi eld and Beney, 2000 ;Wunnava and Lauze, 2001 ;Clotfelter, 2003 ;Monks, 2003 ;Thomas and Smart, 2005 ).…”

Does membership matter? Examining the relationship between alumni association membership and alumni giving

“…After graduating, alumni who attend university events more frequently, specifi cally reunions, are also more likely to contribute fi nancially compared to alumni who are not as frequently involved ( Grant and Lindauer, 1986 ;Olsen et al , 1989 ;Willemain et al , 1994 ;Hanson, 2000 ;Wunnava and Lauze, 2001 ;Holmes, 2008 ). Alumni who are more emotionally attached and loyal to the university are attractive donor prospects ( Beeler, 1982 ), as are those who have knowledge of other donors ( Okunade and Berl, 1997 ); seek out information about other alumni ( Beeler, 1982 ); and are willing to recommend the university to others ( Okunade and Berl, 1997 ).…”