Factors That Influence Graduate Students Participation in Philanthropy: A Case of United States International University-Africa in Kenya

A Project Report Submitted to the School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Executive Masters of Science in Organizational Development (EMOD)This study purposed to research factors posited in philanthropy theoretical frameworks and find out factors that influence philanthropic giving to university among graduate students in United States International University – Africa (USIU-Africa). In particular, the study sought to illuminate three key questions; do communities of participation influence giving by graduate students in USIU-Africa? How does university reputation affect giving by graduates in USIU-Africa? Which are the major models of experience that influence graduate student giving in USIU-Africa? The population of the study consisted of 747 study graduate students enrolled in various academic programs in USIU-Africa’s campus in Kasarani, at the time of the study. The sample size was 50 graduate students who were selected using a stratified sampling technique depending on a particular program and the number of graduate students enrolled for it. Data was collected by means of online questionnaires with 49 graduate students from various academic programs responding (response rate of 98%). Quantitative data were analyzed using both correlation and chi square tests. The statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. The results were presented mainly by use of frequency distribution tables, percentages and bar charts. In the findings, there was no proven association between communities of participation and intentions for philanthropic giving to university by graduate students in USIU-Africa (alumni p-value=0.093, gender p-value=0.648, MBA p-value=0.729). Further, the rate of participation in non-curricular activities by graduate students was low at given that 86% do not participate in any non-curricular activity. 55% of graduate students indicated that their choice to participate in these activities was dictated by personal choices and not adherence to group social norms. Women indication to give to university was higher than their male counterparts at 61%, while MBA students also indicated low inclination to give to university. Going by the ratings, USIU-Africa’s brand value, academic programs and reputation were rated highly while low ratings were assigned to USIU-Africa’s financial management abilities, attractiveness of website and mentorship activities. The study also uncovered that overall, there was an association between giving to university and the positive rating of USIU-Africa’s brand value (p-value = 0.074) and reputation (p-value=0.658). However, female graduate students associated positively financial management abilities (p-value=0.011) and quality of academic programs (p-value=0.020) positively if solicited by a classmate. Most graduate students would resonate most with their classmates (mean=4.02) within the institution, lecturers (mean=3.735) and the vice chancellor(mean=3.714) if they solicited for a donation on behalf of USIU-Africa. Thirty seven percent of graduate students in USIU-Africa noted Dr. Manu Chandaria, a reputable industrialist and philanthropist, as a top role model whose charitable deeds are worth emulating. Philanthropic modelling through parental action was evident going by the report that most graduate students saw a family member help others when they were young (mean=4.04). However, none of the cited experiences during one’s youth was associated with intention to give to USIU-Africa. The conclusions were therefore that communities of participation in USIU-Africa are not the basis of philanthropic intention among graduate students. Further, the University’s reputation does not have any effect on graduate student’s decision to participate in philanthropy towards the university. Finally, major models of experience did not affect graduate students philanthropic intentions towards the University. Recommendations have been made for USIU-Africa to increase the range of non-curricular activities and make them flexible enough to suit the busy schedules of graduate students, increase awareness of opportunities for involvement and identify suitable role models who magnetize students towards philanthropic giving to the university. Also, alumni fundraising for their alma mater needs to be made a norm to institutionalize the practice to increase contributions by individuals towards university development