LGBTQ Alumni Philanthropy

Abstract

Using a constructivist case study analysis, we explore philanthropy toward higher education among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) alumni, examining how a person's LGBTQ identity and experiences (un)consciously affects his, her, or hir 1 decision to give philanthropically. Data come from focus groups with 37 advancement staff and 23 LGBTQ alumni at two research extensive universities. Findings reveal unconscious influences of LGBTQ identities on giving, importance of campus climate for LGBTQ individuals, and LGBTQ alumni affinity group involvement. We draw implications from our findings, discussing the need to create a warm campus climate for current students, increase and encourage involvement within LGBTQ affinity groups, systematize data collection to include LGBTQ identities, and develop culturally sensitive solicitations.

Why Is Human Milk Donation Absent From the Literature on Philanthropic Giving? The Invisible Female Donor and Her Invisible Gift

“…In addition, while the donation of time and money is the focus of most of the literature on women’s philanthropy, we urge the extension of questions about women’s philanthropy to include the donations of women’s bodily gifts. For example, research on HMD can complement the rich literature about the links between gender, identity, and the motivation to give (Charng et al, 1988; Drezner & Garvey, 2016). Beyond the theoretical value of such research, insights about the relationships between donor identity attributes and the motivation to donate may be used to expand the pool of women who choose to voluntarily donate their milk.…”

“…It is the characteristics of the milk donor identity that help to further explain why HMD is prone to omission in the literature on philanthropy. Indeed, we contend that HMD falls outside of what has become the norm: “white, heterosexual male discourse for philanthropic giving” (Drezner & Garvey, 2016).…”

Dismantling Christian hegemony: Religious identity as a pathway to fully embrace DEIJ in philanthropy

“…Social identity, or the collective sense of belonging and self‐concept derived from membership in various groups, shaping individuals' understanding of themselves and their relationships with others, plays a crucial role in shaping philanthropic giving, influencing individuals' motivations, preferences, and behaviors related to charitable donations (Drezner & Huehls, 2014). Scholars have explored the importance of identity within philanthropy along the lines of race and ethnicity (e.g., Boatwright & Salinas Jr, 2023; Chen, 2023; Dunning, 2023; McNamee & Drezner, 2022; Mendoza, 2023), gender (e.g., Mesch et al, 2011; Mesch & Pactor, 2016), ability (e.g., Drezner, 2005), religion (e.g., Berger, 2006; Gasman et al, 2011; Grönlund & Pessi, 2015), and sexuality (e.g., Drezner & Garvey, 2016; Mulé, 2022). Overall, scholars have found that when institutions engaged donors' social identity, giving increased (e.g., Drezner, 2018).…”

Major Donors and Higher Education: Are STEM Donors Different from Other Donors?

“…High-net-worth donors are driving philanthropic giving (List, 2011), although less wealthy donors give higher proportions of their wealth to charitable causes. The literature on giving motivations (e.g., religion, identity, social 1 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA networks, and trust) typically refers to low-dollar philanthropic donors (e.g., Drezner & Garvey, 2016;Eckel & Grossman, 2004;Herzog & Yang, 2018). Few studies have explicitly addressed empirical findings on high-net-worth donors' giving preferences (Osili et al, 2019).…”