Major Gifts to the Seed Company : Who Gives Them and Why
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2014 Major Gifts to The Seed Company : Who Gives Them and Why Michael E. Toupin Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Commons, and the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons Recommended Citation Toupin, Michael E., "Major Gifts to The Seed Company : Who Gives Them and Why" (2014). Dissertations. 738. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/738 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT MAJOR GIFTS TO THE SEED COMPANY: WHO GIVES THEM AND WHY by Michael E. Toupin Chair: Erich Baumgartner ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University School of Education Title: MAJOR GIFTS TO THE SEED COMPANY: WHO GIVES THEM AND WHY Name of researcher: Michael E. Toupin Name and degree of faculty chair: Erich Baumgartner, Ph.D. Date completed: November 2014 The Seed Company, a faith-based organization committed to Bible translation projects for hundreds of minority language communities, depends upon major donor support for its success and growth. There is a dearth of research available regarding philanthropic characteristics of major donors within The Seed Company resulting in a significant knowledge gap for healthy major donor programs based upon objective data. This study confirmed the value of several development approaches, particularly the importance of intentionally building a sense of community and relationship around the cause of the organization. The study analyzed relationships between demographics, experiences related to the organization, and six independent variables derived from practitioner and theoretical perspectives with three dependent variables consisting of entry level, rising level, and high level major donor constituencies within the organization. The research tested the relevance of the variables in the particular context of The Seed Company thus providing input to the organization and baseline data to help fill the knowledge gap in this philanthropic domain. To address this need, a response-based survey was mailed to all accessible major donors who made contributions during the period of 2008–2012. The responses from the survey were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Significant differences between major donor segments were revealed based on age, education, marital status, and financial capacity. Further, the importance of alignment with the mission and vision of the organization, esteem for its leadership, involvement with the organization, and the importance of direct requests were strongly correlated with major donor behavior. The most significant finding is that donors with the highest sense of involvement tended to give at the highest levels. Stated another way, those with the highest levels of giving reported the greatest levels of participation in the community of donors associated with the work of The Seed Company. Additional meaningful research may be conducted by investigating behaviors among alternate segments of the major donor constituency within The Seed Company and similar organizations. Andrews University School of Education MAJOR GIFTS TO THE SEED COMPANY: WHO GIVES THEM AND WHY A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Michael E. Toupin November 2014 © Copyright by Michael E. Toupin 2014 All Rights Reserved MAJOR GIFTS TO THE SEED COMPANY: WHO GIVES THEM AND WHY A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Michael E. Toupin APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: _________________________________ ______________________________ Chair: Erich Baumgartner Dean, School of Education James R. Jeffery _________________________________ Member: Isadore Newman _________________________________ Member: Gilles Gravelle _________________________________ ______________________________ External: J. Andrew Ring Date approved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ x ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. xi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 Background to the Problem ............................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................. 5 Purpose ............................................................................................................ 7 Research Questions .......................................................................................... 9 General Methodology .................................................................................... 11 Conceptual Framework .................................................................................. 14 Internal Practitioner .............................................................................. 16 External Practitioner............................................................................. 17 Theoretical Models............................................................................... 18 Significance ................................................................................................... 20 Delimitations .................................................................................................. 22 Definition of Terms ....................................................................................... 23 Chapter Transitions ........................................................................................ 25 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................................... 26 Christianity and the Bible .............................................................................. 26 Bible Translation and the Spread of Christianity ................................. 30 Bible Translation and Modern Christian Mission ................................ 32 Bible Translation and Philanthropic Support ....................................... 34 The Seed Company and Major Donor Philanthropy ..................................... 37 Philanthropy in America ................................................................................ 42 Philanthropic Beginnings ..................................................................... 42 The Growth of a Philanthropic Culture ................................................ 45 Philanthropic Growth Becomes Exponential in the 20th Century ........ 50 Emerging Academic and Professional Support.................................... 57 Significant “Statement” Gifts ............................................................... 59 Current National Philanthropic Trends ................................................ 60 iii Insights Regarding High Net-Worth Donors ................................................. 67 Philanthropic Trends ............................................................................ 67 Bank of America Study ........................................................................ 69 Spiritual Considerations Regarding Philanthropy ......................................... 74 Practice and Theory ....................................................................................... 80 Summary ........................................................................................................ 92 III. METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................. 93 Introduction .................................................................................................... 93 Participants .................................................................................................... 94 Sample Size ................................................................................................... 96 Research Design ............................................................................................ 97 Research Hypotheses and Questions ........................................................... 101 Hypotheses ......................................................................................... 101 Research Questions ............................................................................ 102 Variables ...................................................................................................... 103 Dependent Variable One (Category One) .......................................... 105 Dependent Variable Two (Category Two) ......................................... 106 Dependent Variable Three (Category Three) ....................................