Implementing Motivational Strategies to Increase Funding in Nonprofit Organizations

Implementing Motivational Strategies to Increase Funding in Nonprofit Organizations by Laxley W. Stephenson MS, Michigan State University, 2016 BS, University of Phoenix, 2015 Consulting Capstone Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2019 Abstract Nonprofit organization senior leaders conduct business in an increasingly complex and competitive market environment relying on monetary donations to sustain the capacity of their organizations to meet service requirements. The purpose of this single case study was to explore the strategies that nonprofit organization senior leaders used to motivate donors to make monetary donations to their organizations. The target population of the study was 3 senior leaders of a nonprofit organization in the southeastern United States who implemented effective strategies to motivate donors to make monetary donations to their organization. The conceptual framework used for this study was self-determination theory. Data collection for this study consisted of semistructured participant interviews, a review of public and internal organization documentation, and organization performance outcomes. Data for this study were manually coded and thematically organized. The analysis of the data identified relationships, effective communication, active listening, and social media marketing as 4 key themes affecting donors’ motivation to donate to nonprofit organizations. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to provide practical strategies that nonprofit organization senior leaders can use to motivate donors to make monetary donations to their organizations, thereby enhancing senior leaders’ capacity to provide critical services to members of the communities in their organizations’ dedicated service areas.Nonprofit organization senior leaders conduct business in an increasingly complex and competitive market environment relying on monetary donations to sustain the capacity of their organizations to meet service requirements. The purpose of this single case study was to explore the strategies that nonprofit organization senior leaders used to motivate donors to make monetary donations to their organizations. The target population of the study was 3 senior leaders of a nonprofit organization in the southeastern United States who implemented effective strategies to motivate donors to make monetary donations to their organization. The conceptual framework used for this study was self-determination theory. Data collection for this study consisted of semistructured participant interviews, a review of public and internal organization documentation, and organization performance outcomes. Data for this study were manually coded and thematically organized. The analysis of the data identified relationships, effective communication, active listening, and social media marketing as 4 key themes affecting donors’ motivation to donate to nonprofit organizations. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to provide practical strategies that nonprofit organization senior leaders can use to motivate donors to make monetary donations to their organizations, thereby enhancing senior leaders’ capacity to provide critical services to members of the communities in their organizations’ dedicated service areas. Implementing Motivational Strategies to Increase Funding in Nonprofit Organizations by Laxley W. Stephenson MS, Michigan State University, 2016 BS, University of Phoenix, 2015 Consulting Capstone Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2019 Dedication I dedicate my DBA degree to my mother, Winnie, in memoriam, for the values and self-belief she instilled in me throughout my life. My biggest regret is that you are not here to share this momentous accomplishment with me. To my daughters, Tremaine and Kiana, for their continuous support and encouragement. To my handsome and adorable grandson, Kanaan Loxley, and to my sweet and gorgeous granddaughter, Annalise Yvonne (Nala), who kept me smiling during the most challenging times of my study. To my brother, Martin and my sisters, Geraldine, Paulette, and Andrea, who provided inspiration and support during my doctoral journey. To my friends, who showed their understanding and supported me on this journey. I thank all of you for playing an instrumental role in my life and journey to complete my doctoral study. Acknowledgments The quest to complete my Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree in the Walden University Consulting Capstone program was not an individual journey. Many contributors made this journey a success. I am grateful to Dr. Robert Hockin, in Memoriam, my first chair, who provided guidance and shared his vast knowledge about the doctoral study process. Thank you, Dr. Pete Anthony, for taking over as my chair and for instilling in me a sense of urgency and urgency. Your kindness, understanding, mentorship, and willingness to share your vast knowledge made me believe that completing my degree was indeed possible. Thank you, Dr. Janice Garfield, for electing to serve as my second committee member. Dr. Garfield, your valuable insights and feedback guided and aligned my thinking about how to conduct my study. Thank you, Dr. Denise Land, for serving as my university research reviewer and for sharing your knowledge, guidance, and for the thorough feedback you continuously provided. Your feedback was instrumental in enabling me to complete my study. To the many Walden University professors that instructed me on this journey, I say thank you. Each of you laid the foundation for me to advance in my study. To my many classmates that shared their insights and taught me different perspectives, I say thank you for sharing this journey with me. Finally, I thank the leaders at my client organization for their professionalism, willingness to share information, and for committing their time to participate in the study.