Graduation Term

2014

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Educational Administration and Foundations: Educational Administration

Committee Chair

Zeng Lin

Committee Member

Mohamed Nur-Awaleh

Abstract

Institutions of higher education can benefit from using predictive modeling and data mining techniques to enhance capital and fundraising campaigns to yield higher levels of financial contributions. The purpose of this study was to enhance the sophistication of alumni fundraising by using predictive modeling and data mining techniques to address: (a) What factors are most likely to predict the likelihood of alumni making a financial contribution, and (b) What factors are most significant in predicting the amount of money alumni will contribute. Among the 17 variables used by this study those of significance for predicting the likelihood to give included: distance from alma mater, event attendance, volunteer status, degree year, and life stage. Additionally, the linear regression model predicting the amount of a first time gift accurately predicted over 50% of individual giving at the lowest of three donation levels.

Access Type

Dissertation-Open Access

DOI

http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2014.Walcott.M

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