Factors Related To Annual Fund-Raising Contributions from Individual Donors to NCAA Division I-A Institutions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify selected factors related to annual fundraising program contributions at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-A (D I-A) institutions and develop an equation for estimating an annual fund-raising goal. Based on a review of the literature, 15 potential predictor variables were selected and a survey instrument was developed to collect data on annual fund-raising contributions from individual donors and the selected factors. Surveys were mailed to the Director of Development for each Division I-A football institution (n 114). Seventy useable questionnaires were returned, resulting in a 65.4 percent response rate. Multiple linear regression and Pearson product-moment correlation statistics were used to analyze the data. Based on the study's findings, a predictive equation was developed that can be utilized by D I-A athletic administrators in setting their annual fund-raising goal. The final model resulted in a statistically significant model that accounted for 78.1 percent of the variation in annual contributions. Five of the 15 selected predictor variables were determined to be significant in accounting for the variation in annual fund-raising contributions.International Journal of Educational Advancement (2005) 6, 3-10; doi:10.1057/palgrave.ijea.2140229