The Relationship between Personal and Social Growth and Involvement in College and Subsequent Alumni Giving.

This study focused on how college experiences influence the decision of alumni to contribute financially to a small, religiously affiliated liberal arts university. Collegiate extracurricular activities and the college’s contribution to personal and social development were examined as they relate to donor status and donor level. ACT College Outcomes Survey data obtained from 1,885 graduating seniors (93% of the population) between 1994 and 2003 were combined with donation and undergraduate involvement records. Results indicate that years since graduation and three types of activities – social, campus leadership and academic – are able to distinguish donors from nondonors. Years since graduation, spouse alumnus, campus leadership activities and social activities are shown to have a minor, but significant, relationship to the amount of donation.