The Influence of Leadership Style on Philanthropy and Fundraising in Three Independent
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The Influence of Leadership Style on Philanthropy and Fundraising in Three Independent Appalachian Schools A dissertation presented to the faculty of The Patton College of Education of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education Michael D. Eicher April 2017 © 2017 Michael D. Eicher. All Rights Reserved. 2 This dissertation titled The Influence of Leadership Style on Philanthropy and Fundraising in Three Independent Appalachian Schools by MICHAEL D. EICHER has been approved for the Department of Educational Studies and The Patton College of Education by Charles Lowery Assistant Professor of Educational Studies Renée A. Middleton Dean, The Patton College of Education 3 Abstract EICHER, MICHAEL D., Ed.D., April 2017, Educational Administration The Influence of Leadership Style on Philanthropy and Fundraising in Three Independent Appalachian Schools Director of Dissertation: Charles Lowery This multiple-methods study explored the influence that leadership style has on philanthropy and fundraising, and investigated how behaviors and characteristics associated with leadership style promote successful fundraising in three P-12 independent schools. Research was conducted via a multiple-methods design in which qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Initially, qualitative interviews were conducted with the head of school, the director of development, and a major donor to the respective school. Subsequently, quantitative data were collected using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire for a more complete understanding of each head of schools’ unique leadership style. Findings revealed that heads of school utilize both transformational and transactional leadership behaviors and characteristics. Additionally, results indicated that the ability of independent heads of schools to delegate leadership tasks, thereby utilizing a distributive leadership approach in addition to transactional and transformational leadership achieved maximum success in their fundraising efforts. 4 Dedication This work is dedicated to my parents Michael and Sandra without whom none of this would have been possible. I am especially grateful to my mother for inspiring me to be a risk-taker and to seek and explore all that education has to offer—and I am thankful for my father who always provided for me and encouraged me to get an education. It is also dedicated to my brother, Jon, who has achieved success in his own right. I dedicate this work to my wife Mary, who has inspired me and kept me going in the most trying times and most of all has believed in me. Without her love, unwavering support, strength, patience and gentle kindness, I could not have accomplished this endeavor. 5 Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge the support I received from the faculty at Ohio University throughout the course of the completion of this dissertation, particularly from my Co-chairs, Dr. Krisanna Machtmes and Dr. Charles Lowery. The patience, expertise, and guidance of my committee members Dean Renee Middleton and Dr. Leonard Allen have been invaluable in the completion of my work. I am grateful for the feedback and support that I received from my committee members as well as the faculty in the educational administration program. Their careful help and guidance will be forever appreciated. I would also especially like to thank Dr. Dwan Robinson for bringing out the leader in me through active and lively class discussions throughout the course work phase of the program. I would further like to thank Dr. Bill Larson for helping me to see the importance of taking it one step at a time and for his patience in nurturing and encouraging a new principal. Dr. Larson also showed me how it all fits together. I would also like to acknowledge the heads of school who made this dissertation possible along with the development directors and the major donors. I learned a great deal about leadership, character, and what it takes to be a top-notch fundraiser in the world of independent school education. Hopefully, others can learn from the insight that they provided. The lively, engaging conversations and discussions that I had with the donors, heads of school as well as the development directors could have gone on ad infinitum. I especially would like to thank my wife Mary for giving me the time and opportunity to pursue a doctorate degree. Mary has provided an outlet for me 6 emotionally and spiritually, in addition to many lively discussions about school leadership. Mary, as you know, this degree is as much yours as it is mine. I am eternally appreciative and forever grateful. 7 Table of Contents Page Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 3 Dedication ........................................................................................................................... 4 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................... 5 List of Tables .................................................................................................................... 16 List of Figures ................................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 1: Introduction ..................................................................................................... 18 Introduction to the Problem .......................................................................................... 18 Definition of Terms ...................................................................................................... 19 Annual fund .............................................................................................................. 19 Capital campaign ...................................................................................................... 19 Charter school ........................................................................................................... 20 Director of development ........................................................................................... 20 Distributed leadership ............................................................................................... 20 Fundraising ............................................................................................................... 20 Philanthropy .............................................................................................................. 20 Successful campaign funding ................................................................................... 21 Transactional leadership ........................................................................................... 21 8 Transformational leadership ..................................................................................... 21 Independent school ................................................................................................... 21 Purpose .......................................................................................................................... 25 Background of the Study .............................................................................................. 27 Leadership ..................................................................................................................... 29 Learning Organizations ................................................................................................. 30 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................. 34 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................................... 35 Rationale ....................................................................................................................... 36 Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 37 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................. 39 Assumptions and Limitations ....................................................................................... 41 Organization of the Remainder of the Study ................................................................ 43 Chapter 2: Review of Literature ....................................................................................... 45 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 45 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................. 49 Leadership ..................................................................................................................... 50 Transactional Leadership .............................................................................................. 52 Transformational Leadership ........................................................................................ 53 9 Distributed Leadership .................................................................................................. 63 Philanthropy .................................................................................................................. 71 Community Relationships ............................................................................................. 76 Community Relations