Organizational roles enacted by healthcare fundraisers : A national study testing theory and assessing gender differences

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine Kelly's proposed fundraising roles scales to describe the daily activities of male and female fundraisers. Design/methodology/approach – The data collection procedure involved a national survey to a random sample of 286 fundraisers from the American Health Association. The pen‐and‐paper survey had a 48 percent response rate, and the scale indices were found to be reliable with Cronbach alpha tests. Findings – The study found that there were no statistical differences in how male and female fundraisers enacted the technician role; however, gender differences emerged for all three managerial roles with males enacting the roles at statistically significant greater rates. Originality/value – This study represents an important initial step in advancing theoretical knowledge on fundraising, and it is the first quantitative test of Kelly's proposed fundraising role scales.