Featured Scholar: Genevieve Shaker, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies
IU Indianapolis Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Research Video: https://youtu.be/88WWshEmrmU
Contributing to Fundraising Practice through Multi-Dimensional Research
Professor Genevieve Shaker's research focus has been on developing and disseminating new research about fundraising and about the fundraising profession. She has conducted several studies, including two about fundraiser job tenure and turnover that have generated knowledge about fundraisers themselves. This work is in alignment with growing attention in the nonprofit scholarly community to the role that fundraisers play in the giving process. Most often, scholars and the public alike focus on donors and the amount of money given to particular nonprofits without adequate consideration of the intermediary. Professor Shaker has a special interest in higher education giving and fundraising. She has conducted several studies in this setting, including a large longitudinal study of giving across 30 years and 400+ institutions, as well as an examination of the philanthropic relationships of fundraisers and major donors in university settings.
Professor Shaker's goal is to strategically share what she has learned through her research -- as well as the insights of other scholars. She does this in a variety of ways including presenting at conferences, teaching for The Fund Raising School, and writing books/articles. In 2021 and 2022, she published two books which translate research into practice. The first, Fundraising for Faculty and Academic Leaders (Palgrave), was co-authored with Aaron Conley and provides a research-based approach for leading advancement teams within the university. The second, Achieving Excellence in Fundraising (5th edition, Wiley), features 39 chapters written by Lilly Family School of Philanthropy faculty, alumni, and affiliates and is the most recent edition of the best selling fundraising textbook. Professor Shaker was the lead editor for the volume. She is also the editor of Faculty Work and the Public Good: Philanthropy, Engagement, and Academic Professionalism, exploring the connections between universities and philanthropy.
Professor Shaker's translation of research into best practices for fundraising is another excellent example of how IU Indianapolis's faculty members are TRANSLATING their RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE.
Selected Publications in IU Indianapolis ScholarWorks
With several research works contributed to IU Indianapolis's free, open access repository, Professor Shaker has made translational research knowledge available to professionals, researchers, students, and communities around the world.
Shaker, G. G., Rooney, P. M., Nathan, S. K., Bergdoll, J. J., & Tempel, E. R. (2022). Turnover intention and job tenure of US fundraisers. Journal of Philanthropy and Marketing, e1742. https://hdl.handle.net/1805/29247
Shaker, G. G., & Nelson, D. (2021). A Grounded Theory Study of Major Gift Fundraising Relationships in U.S. Higher Education. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 08997640211057437. https://hdl.handle.net/1805/29238
Shaker, G. G., & Borden, V. M. H. (2020). How donors give to higher education: Research report. TIAA Institute. https://www.tiaainstitute.org/publication/how-donors-give-higher-education. https://hdl.handle.net/1805/29249
Nathan, S. K., Shaker, G., & Janin, P. D. (2020). The Role of Philanthropic Studies in Equipping Students to Articulate their Personal and Vocational Purpose. The Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership, 10(4). https://hdl.handle.net/1805/27427
Shaker, G. G., & Borden, V. M. H. (2020). Analyzing Three Decades of Philanthropic Giving to U.S. Higher Education (1988–2018). Philanthropy & Education, 4(1), 1–42. https://hdl.handle.net/1805/26599
Shaker, G. G., Rooney, P. M., Bergdoll, J., Nathan, S. K., & Tempel, E. R. (2020). Professional Identity and the Determinants of Fundraisers’ Charitable Behavior. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 49(4), 677–706. https://hdl.handle.net/1805/24051
Shaker, G. G., & Christensen, R. K. (2018). I give at the office: A review of workplace giving research, theory, and practice. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing. https://hdl.handle.net/1805/18395
Shaker, G. G., & Nathan, S. K. (2017). Understanding higher education fundraisers in the United States. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, 22(4), e1604. https://hdl.handle.net/1805/16402
Shaker, G.G., Christensen, R.K., & Bergdoll, J.J. (2017). What Works at Work? Toward an Integrative Model Examining Workplace Campaign Strategies. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 28(1), 25–46. https://hdl.handle.net/1805/16012
Shaker, G. G., Borden, V. M. H., & Kienker, B. L. (2016). Workplace Giving in Universities A U.S. Case Study at Indiana University. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 45(1), 87–111. https://hdl.handle.net/1805/11207