The college president and fund raising effectiveness

Effective fund raising is essential to the health of colleges and universities. Fund raising is an important criterion in the selection and evaluation of presidents. This dissertation examined the relationship of the independent variables of open administrative style (ADMIN) and commitment to the field of higher education (COMIT) with the dependent variable of dollars raised per student (AVGDOL) by the institution. This project attempted to identify personal traits of presidents who are effective fund raisers, help presidents improve their fund raising effectiveness, and aid boards in selecting suitable candidates.; The relationship of the independent and dependent variables was examined through three research questions: (1) What are the relationships among the three variables of ADMIN, COMIT and AVGDOL? (2) What is the collective relationship of the two independent variables with the dependent variable? and (3) What are the relative strengths of the correlations of the independent variables, and parts thereof, with AVGDOL?; The sample consisted of 27 presidents with at least four year tenures at Christian College Coalition institutions that have their financial data reported in Voluntary Support of Education. Seventy-six of the 85 CCC presidents (89%) responded to the questionnaire. Forty-six institutions (54%) responded to the CFAE survey in either 1991 or 1992.; This research project used a questionnaire and each president's curriculum vitae to determine ADMIN and COMIT. The questionnaire relied heavily on the Fisher/Tack Effective Leadership Inventory.; The results support the premise that while ADMIN is related to fund raising effectiveness, COMIT is more closely related to some other aspect of presidential leadership. This premise was supported by stronger correlations of ADMIN with AVGDOL than COMIT with AVGDOL, and by very weak correlations of ADMIN with COMIT. Multiple regression and stepwise regression tests reveal stronger relationships of ADMIN with AVGDOL when COMIT is not taken as part of the equation than when COMIT is included.; Opinions in related literature imply that skillful and enthusiastic presidential involvement may be the key to a successful college fund raising program. The results of this research project imply that the president's administrative style may be directly related to the fund raising effectiveness of the institution.