Contemporary Philanthropy: LGBTQ+ Allyship Affiliations and Donor Motivations
This emerging and contemporary higher education philanthropy session is based on Dr. Peter Robertson’s doctoral dissertation consisting of an AERA award-winning qualitative research case study that explored the motivations by allies of the LGBTQ+ community for giving toward LGBTQ+ university causes. Findings revealed heterosexual and cisgender LGBTQ+ allyship affiliations, as well as their motivations for financially supporting LGBTQ+ campus programs and student initiatives. Both topics have not been academically explored, and the findings generated important recommendations for higher education advancement leaders. Today, higher education institutions must strive to connect and engage with its alumnx and all constituents in authentic, honest, and sincere ways, which can increase the likelihood and propensity of private support from this previously overlooked demographic: heterosexual and cisgender LGBTQ+ allies.