Date of Award
2001
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Anne E. Mulder
Committee Member
Susan A. Torbenson
Committee Member
Martin B. Parks
Keywords
broadcasting, Chicago, criteria, direct marketing, donations, education, evaluation, evaluation process, evaluation research, financial resources, five-year plan, formative panels, fundraising, fundraising activities, Illinois, leadership, major gift techniques, major stakeholders, managing, master plan, measurable goals, measurable outcomes, ministry education, Moody Bible Institute, MBI, operational support, philanthropy, philanthropic technique, planned giving, planning, planning design, process management, program funding, publishing, research methodology, senior officers, stewardship, Stewardship Branch, summative panels, visionary growth, visionary initiatives, vocational ministry programs, wholesale funding strategies
Abstract
Moody Bible Institute (MBI) is an 115-year-old institution located in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to its fully accredited vocational ministry focused educational programs, MBI has extensive broadcasting and publishing enterprises. MBI is heavily dependent on donations for its continued existence and expansion. The problem was that with a finite amount of financial resources, competition arises between the demands for funding existing core programs and the allocation of funds for visionary initiatives related to the expansion of education, broadcasting, and publishing. The purpose of this study was the development of a five-year plan that will synchronize the funding of existing programs with the visionary initiatives of Moody Bible Institute.
This study answered the following research questions:
1. What are the criteria for each aspect of the plan?
2. How will the plan be applied?
3. What are the projected measurable outcomes of the plan?
The problem solving methodology was development research. An evaluation research methodology was also employed. The process included research from various sources related to planning, philanthropy, and managing. Formative and summative panels were formed and used to assist in establishing and evaluating criteria, planning design, and recommending applications of the plan. An evaluation process was identified for future use to demonstrate the effectiveness of the recommendations resulting from the plan.
The results of the project were that a five-year master plan for Stewardship was developed and approved by the president and senior officers of Moody Bible Institute. The document includes the rationale for the plan. Internal and external factors demonstrated the significance of Stewardship in maintaining the financial base for operations as well as the funding needed for visionary growth. The planning process employed required participation from the leadership staff of the Stewardship Branch; and, therefore, reflects their anticipated role in its fulfillment.
The conclusion of the project was that by establishing and fulfilling realistic, measurable goals in the traditional Stewardship activities of direct marketing and planned giving, MBI will maintain a stable operational base of support for existing ministries. Through the ongoing development of new fundraising activities in major gift techniques, visionary growth funds will be realized.
Recommendations related to the plan were as follows:
1. That the plan be implemented as the guide for the Stewardship Branch of MBI for five years, 2001 - 2006.
2. That the evaluation process identified in the plan be implemented on an annual basis leading to ongoing commitment to the plan for each successive fiscal year.
3. That further research continues by Stewardship leadership personnel in the areas of philanthropic technique and process management for fundraising.
4. That the plan be distributed to the division managers of the Stewardship Branch as the unifying planning document for their division.
5. That the plan be distributed in whole or in part to MBI leadership outside of Stewardship who are major stakeholders in the results of the fundraising plan.