| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this mixed method study was to explore the philanthropic giving behaviors of international alumni to a state public university (University of Kansas) once they graduated from the university. The primary data sample consists of degree holders from 2006 to 2015 who attended the University of Kansas as an international student (international alumni). I distinguished giving behaviors between international alumni living outside the United States and international alumni who reside in the United States (international expatriates). Additionally, giving behaviors of international alumni and domestic alumni who currently reside within the United States for the same time-period were explored for comparative purposes. Lastly, a sample of eight international alumni donors were chosen for qualitative interviews regarding their giving behavior and influences on their philanthropic decisions. Through data collection from the university registrar, endowment association, alumni association, and personal donor interviews, I explored the nature of international alumni giving and domestic alumni populations in order to better understand their varied levels of philanthropic support. Qualitative interview questions were designed to uncover answers and experiences that are difficult to collect through analytical data tables, including: (1) what inspired the participant to give a gift to their alma mater; (2) what did the experience of being a student at the university mean to the participant and their decision to give a gift; and (3) how philanthropy is viewed in the participant’s country of residence. The information gleaned from these interviews describe how these experiences and thoughts shape who they are as a donor. The quantitative portion of the study focused exclusively on giving behavior of the various alumni groups over the ten-year period from 2006 to 2015. Data on biographical demographics, degree type, country of origin, current residence and others were compiled to build a single data table for trend analysis. Patterns emerged showing what countries donors come from and currently reside, in terms of both dollars contributed and gift frequency. Trends provided aggregate data and information useful in understanding the context and overall picture of international alumni giving. The final step of this study utilized thematic analysis, exposing the similarities, patterns, trends and discrepancies within the qualitative interviews and the quantitative data gathered. Themes emerged around alumni giving domestically and from abroad, location, and gift frequency. The research resulted in five findings. First, international alumni populations grew at a higher rate than domestic alumni populations during the time period reviewed, with China replacing India as the top country of origin while KU international student populations overall became more homogeneous with less diversity. Second, comparing domestic alumni to international alumni- domestic alumni are more likely to give a gift, give larger gift amounts, and give more frequently. While international alumni gift amounts and frequency are more consistent with a smaller range. Third, former international students living in the U.S. (international expatriates) are more likely to give a gift than domestic alumni. However, domestic alumni give larger gifts and at a higher frequency than those of international origin living in the U.S. Fourth, international alumni living in the U.S. (international expatriates) are more likely to give than international alumni living abroad. However, international alumni living abroad give larger gifts. Lastly, the connection with a faculty or staff member, positive student experience and family or cultural upbringing are notable factors that influence the individual international alumni giving decision. | |
