What is this study?
Where can I learn more about the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy?
How do people get to participate in the study?
Is this a marketing survey?
What is your timeline?
What kind of information will participants in the study be asked to provide?
What about privacy and confidentiality?
How long does it take to complete the study?
Why should people participate in this study?
Are there any direct benefits of participating in the study?
What if I have questions while I am completing the study?
What if I am an AOL user having trouble completeling the survey?
What is this study?
The Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College is conducting a study on ultra wealthy households with a net worth of at least $25 million. The Joys and Dilemmas of Wealth Study will supply valuable information about the dilemmas, aspirations, and opportunities that households face in using their wealth as a tool for family, philanthropy, and other chosen purposes.
Where can I learn more about the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy?
For more information about the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, click here.
How do people get to participate in the study?
Participation in the study is by invitation only. We are coordinating our efforts with institutions and organizations that have a relationship with ultra high net worth individuals. This includes financial institutions, philanthropic organizations, and non-profit groups, all of which have agreed to encourage their clients, members and supporters to participate in this important research project on the future of philanthropy. If you have questions related to the study, please call the Center at 617-620-0970 or e-mail Robert A. Kenny at robert.kenny.1@bc.edu. Please note, phone calls are typically returned within the hour if you are calling between 6:00am and 10:00pm EST, or the next morning if you are calling after 10:00pm.
Is this a marketing survey?
No, this is a serious academic research project employing the highest academic standards to learn about how the aspirations, motivations, and search for meaning are related to wealth and philanthropy.
What is your timeline?
Our goal is to have the final report available in early 2009.
What kind of information will participants in the study be asked to provide?
Participants will be asked behavioral and attitudinal questions about dilemmas, opportunities, strategies, and spiritual aspirations of wealth, as well as some factual information about net worth, income, demographics, etc.
What about privacy and confidentiality?
Confidentiality is vital to our profession. In so many of the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy's studies, the confidentiality of both participant information and information collected has been paramount. The Center has a twenty-year history of surveying and interviewing wealthy individuals and families, and we have never had a confidentiality error. The names and identifying information of all participants will be treated in accordance with the highest standards of confidentiality and respect and will never be divulged, traded, or sold. For more technical information about the the security steps we are taking for this study, click here.
How long does it take to complete the study?
It takes different people different amounts of time, but we are finding that it takes most people between 30 to 45 minutes to complete. You do not have to complete it all at once.
Why should people participate in this study?
This study provides opportunity to offer an unfiltered voice about the dilemmas, needs, opportunities, and goals of ultra high net worth households. Participants in the study will help produce an accurate picture of the attitudes, dilemmas and practices of wealth holders.
Are there any direct benefits of participating in the study?
In the past people have learned a lot about themselves and their personal goals when filling out similar surveys at the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy. We feel that this survey has the potential to do the same by providing the opportunity to think and reflect on important issues regarding wealth and philanthropy.
What if I have questions while I am completing the study?
You can call our office at 617-620-0970. The best time to talk with someone in person is between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST but someone will be available to return your call until 10:00 p.m. EST. In addition you can e-mail any questions to Robert A. Kenny at robert.kenny.1@bc.edu. Please note, phone calls are typically returned within the hour if you are calling between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. EST, or the next morning if you are calling after 10:00 p.m.
About privacy and confidentiality, continued.
Privacy and confidentiality are of paramount importance in “The Joys and Dilemmas of Wealth” study. No personally identifiable information is requested in the study, and findings are reported in aggregate.
The Center on Wealth and Philanthropy (CWP) will coordinate data collection with the sponsoring organization to protect privacy. At no time will anyone but the sponsoring organization have access to names, addresses, or contact information. Conversely the sponsoring organization will never have access to responses.
Outlined below are some of the details of the provisions in place for identity and data confidentiality:
• Participants will receive a unique computer-generated registration number.
• That registration number allows access to a highly secure website hosting the study.
• The study will be hosted by The Dieringer Research Group, Inc (DRG) who will have no access to names, addresses, or contact information. DRG will passively collect the data via the web. DRG will not have participants identifying information. Moreover all employees of DRG have signed a nondisclosure agreement.
• Participant names and other identifying information cannot be divulged to anyone because neither the staff of CWP or DRG will know that information.
• The identity of participants will remain in the possession of your organization.
• Your organization will never have access to individual responses.
• No identifying information (i.e., names, addresses, social security numbers, or contact information) will be attached to the responses collected during the study.
• DRG will be using state of the art security to protect the data collected on its website: the Cisco PIX Security Appliance, which delivers a multilayered defense network environment through rich, integrated security services including stateful inspection firewall services, advanced application and protocol inspection firewall services, site-to-site and remote access VPN, in-line intrusion prevention, and robust multimedia and voice security.
To continue directly to the study login, click here. (You must already have your username and password).