Pharmacy Professor Wins Grant Award

by Steve Vodhanel and Jim Pinder

School of Pharmacy faculty member Jim Pinder, JD, MBA, assistant professor of pharmacy law, has received funding for a study titled Factors Affecting Retention of Development Professionals at SDA Institutions in North America.  The $2,500 grant comes from Philanthropic Service for Institutions (PSI), a department of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists in Silver Spring, MD.

The purpose of the study is to determine the factors that lead fundraising professionals to leave their place of employment.  The fundraising process, from prospect identification to securing the gift can take up to two years.  Front-line fundraising professionals often stay in one position for less than two years.

Findings from this study will be presented at the 2011 PSI Conference in Indianapolis, IN.

While Mr. Pinder’s academic career focuses on pharmacy law, the majority of his time is spent seeking philanthropic support for School of Pharmacy.  Little research has been conducted on this topic and it is of concern as philanthropic dollars are key to helping non-profit organizations keep their budgets afloat.