CHARITABLE GIVING OF ALUMNI - MICRODATA EVIDENCE FROM A LARGE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

This research examines the ''age-donation'' profile of gift-giving alumni at a large public university, based on a pooled micro-data random sample of 4,242 alumni (1926/27-1988/90 graduates) who gave cash gifts during the 1975/76-1989/90 fiscal years. The covariance regression model results indicate lack of statistically significant difference between gift-giving women and men. However, the School of Business graduates, alumni who proceeded to obtain graduate degrees from this university, and alumni members of non-Creek social organizations gave significantly more. Moreover, alumni contributions varied systematically over the business cycle and a 1962 Federal Court Order to desegregate the university racially reduced donations but not significantly. Given the 63-year cycle studied, the growth rates of alumni donations of money are projected to decline after roughly age 52, which falls short of the typical retirement age.