Identification of Readiness Factors in Community College Grant Development Operations, Meaders Sherry

A national perspective on model factors within a system framework that are necessary for a successful and productive grant procurement operation in raising external funds for programs in institutions of higher education. The sample population included 362 public community colleges across the United States who were members of the Council of Resource Development between 1998 and 2001. Participants completed a 60 item survey instrument. A multiple regression analysis test was conducted to determine the relationship among the selected variables. This research was based on relevant literature and was the first national study conducted on the operations of a grant development office in the community college environment. The findings can be generalized to the population as they indicated a statistically significant relationship with the amount of grants revenue and the three significant factors. As administrators review the findings, they must consider that resource development expenditures are investments in one of the few revenue centers at their institution, and that these development efforts can yield funding for new and continued programing.