| This Delphi study was conducted to (a) identify emerging trends which would impact private fund raising at North Carolina community colleges within the next five years, (b) rank those trends in order of importance, (c) identify critical issues that were currently impacting those institutions, and (d) rank those issues in order of importance. Fifty-six individuals with primary responsibility for private fund raising were identified by presidents and asked to participate in the study. Forty-two agreed, representing 71% of the fifty-nine institutions in the North Carolina Community College System.;In round one, participants generated textual data in response to two questions. These data were transcribed, analyzed, reduced, and displayed in a matrix format.;In round two, respondents ranked the importance of emerging trends, critical issues, and categories of critical issues. Group median, group rank, range, and frequency distribution were generated for each trend, issue, and issues category.;Ten categories of emerging trends were identified and grouped into three areas: (a) broad emerging trends, including demographic, economic, political, and technological; (b) trends related to specific topics, including business and industry, increased competition, donor pool, and public funding; and (c) trends related to private fund raising, including the nature of private fund raising and the need for private funds. The greatest number of respondents identified trends related to business and industry (24), increased competition (20), and the need for private Funds (20). The top three needs for private funds were student financial aid, technology infrastructure, and workforce training.;Ten categories of critical issues emerged. In order from most important to least important they were leadership, image, development officer, management, donors, resources, solicitations, technology, alumni, and the North Carolina Community College System.;Based upon the findings, recommendations for practice and future research were made. Included were additional training for presidents, trustees, and foundation board members; educating the public about inadequate funding for community colleges; and the elevation of the position of development officer to senior level status. |
