COLLEGE PARK, MD (September, 2013) Assistant Professor Noah D. Drezner is a champion for diversity and inclusion, especially in the context of fundraising in higher education. Drezner examines whether race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation influences an individuals philanthropic behaviors and willingness to give back to their alma maters. In a climate of increased fiscal austerity, higher education institutions are placing increased importance on the role of fundraising.
This summer, the Chronicle of Philanthropy profiled one of Drezners research studies on sexual identity and the role it plays in a donors philanthropy. Drezner and his research partner Jason Garvey - a former doctoral student and now assistant professor at the University of Alabama - visited six colleges and interviewed more than 130 fundraisers, alumni relations staff, and LGBT alumni. Preliminary findings from the study show that sexual identity is a bigger factor in the motivation to give than LGBT donors themselves readily admit, and LGBT donors are more inclined to support their alma maters if an institutions administration were seen as supportive of gay students and alumni. Drezner and Garvey will be expanding the studys reach with a national survey of LGBT alumni this winter.
The need for colleges and universities to consider diversity and inclusivity in their fundraising strategies was the topic of a recent opinion piece authored by Drezner and featured in Inside Higher Ed. After seeing a video celebrating the history of alumni associations released by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the countrys largest professional organization of higher education fundraising and alumni relations professionals, Drezner was shocked by what he refers to as a “whitewashing of this history.” The failure to acknowledge contributions by people of color, Drezner writes, can be viewed as “indicative of how most higher education institutions still view their engagement and solicitation work - through a white, wealthy, male and heterosexual donor lens.”
Drezner concedes that some universities have taken steps to make their alumni engagement operations more inclusive, for example by creating alumni affinity groups. However, he believes an opportunity is being missed if that is the only tactic being employed. To be successful, universities must develop culturally sensitive strategies that engage their donors whole selves and the time to start doing so is now. According to Dr. Drezner, “The need for colleges and universities to fundraise is greater than ever and there is no sign that it will lessen. American higher education once saw philanthropy as a means to separate eminence from excellence. Today, voluntary support is needed to simply make budget and provide students with access.”
Dr. Drezner is an assistant professor in the department of Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education. He is also an affiliate faculty member of the University of Maryland Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership.
Click here to read the op-ed in Inside Higher Education.
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