Predictors of alumni giving behaviour toward basic education institutions in Kenya

Abstract

This qualitative study analyses the predictors of alumni giving behaviour toward basic education institutions in Kenya. It contextualises inadequate public financing for basic education as a pressing social problem. The study posits that while alumni gifts represented a significant opportunity to contribute to funding basic education, a notable disconnect exists between the high willingness of Kenyan alumni to support their alma maters and the relatively low rates of actual contributions. The research findings suggest that this disconnect could be attributed to various factors, including the alumni's cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as their individual educational experiences within their alma maters, alongside the impact of government policies and the activities of alumni networks. Utilising Pierre Bourdieu's concept of "habitus" as a theoretical framework, the study analyses the social structures— including government policies and alumni networks—that shape the interactions and dispositions influencing alumni giving behaviour toward their school alma mater. By identifying and analysing these predictors, the research contributes valuable insights for policy formulation, strengthening alumni networks, and developing effective fundraising strategies for basic education institutions in Kenya. In terms of conceptual contribution, this study enriches the understanding of alumni giving by integrating Bourdieu's concept of "habitus" with the specific cultural and social dynamics of Kenya, thereby providing a nuanced perspective on how these factors influence philanthropic behaviour.