Professional Identity and the Determinants of Fundraisers’ Charitable Behavior

Abstract

<jats:p> This survey-based study ( n = 1,663) addressed charitable behaviors of fundraisers—key arbiters of others’ donations. Our research question was as follows: Are fundraisers’ charitable behaviors related to their professional identity? We found several anticipated differences in giving and volunteering behaviors (and their social determinants) in comparison with the general public and the influence of some fundraising-specific variables. Nearly all the fundraisers gave time and money and were more like one another than the public. On average, they gave more money and donated a higher salary share than the typical household. They volunteered at a higher rate and, excluding outliers, more hours than the average American. We contend that fundraiser charitable behavior and professional identity are interwoven. The professional norms regarding personal philanthropy may also be influenced through the self-selection of the inherently philanthropic into fundraising. Future research should examine formation of fundraiser professional identity and its outcomes more broadly. </jats:p>

A thematic analysis of fundraiser characteristics in high‐quality major donor fundraising relationships inUShigher education

“…The public—across various cultural and national contexts—is often uninformed or misinformed about fundraising's purposes, methods, processes, standards, and philosophies (Breeze, 2017; Breeze & Scaife, 2015; Shaker et al, 2019). In the US, fundraisers are sometimes valorized for providing an important service for social needs and sometimes plagued by stigma stemming from conceptions that fundraising is “dirty work” tainted by its association with money (Meisenbach et al, 2019).…”

“…Indeed, although ample attention is accorded to donors and their motivations, minimal attention is given to fundraisers and their interface with donors (Bekkers & Wiepking, 2011; Chapman et al, 2022). There is some new academic literature about fundraisers' experiences, behaviors, and views on fundraising published in the last decade (i.e., Alborough, 2019; Breeze, 2017; Breeze & Jollymore, 2017; Meisenbach et al, 2019; Nyman et al, 2018; Shaker et al, 2019; Shaker & Nathan, 2017). These studies provide crucial insights from the fundraisers' perspective but lack donors' points of view.…”

“…Fundraisers often “fall into” the field after trying other careers, usually with limited training and without associated formal education (AFP, 2021; Breeze, 2017; Nathan & Tempel, 2017). Fundraising has professionalized as it has moved from being temporary or volunteer work to being the purview of paid, permanent staff with professional associations, standards of ethics, and academic courses (Breeze, 2017; Shaker et al, 2019). Whether the field has the trappings and legitimacy of a “profession” remains discussed and unresolved—a condition that has relevance to how fundraisers do their work that may relate to how donors perceive them (Breeze, 2017; Shaker et al, 2019).…”

Turnover intention and job tenure of US fundraisers

“…Fundraisers generate philanthropic funds for nonprofits by identifying potential donors, cultivating relationships, creating fundraising appeals, soliciting gifts, and stewarding and renewing contributions; giving, in turn, generates many positive intellectual, emotional, and physical benefits for donors (Konrath, 2016). Yet, fundraising has long been stigmatized because of perceptions that it constitutes financial transactions facilitated by people who apply pressure to acquire gifts and who quickly leave one job for another in search of personal advancement (Breeze, 2017; Meisenbach et al, 2018; Shaker et al, 2019). A long‐standing debate also addresses whether fundraising has attained status as a “profession,” intimating the field's continued quest for broad public understanding and respect.…”

“…Yet, fundraising has long been stigmatized because of perceptions that it constitutes financial transactions facilitated by people who apply pressure to acquire gifts and who quickly leave one job for another in search of personal advancement (Breeze, 2017;Meisenbach et al, 2018;Shaker et al, 2019). A long-standing debate also addresses whether fundraising has attained status as a "profession," intimating the field's continued quest for broad public understanding and respect.…”