A study of the fund raising program design aspects commonly considered important in fund raising success and the strength of these aspects in institutions with various levels of fund-raising success is reported. The 398 institutions studied include public and private research universities, public and private doctoral universities, public comprehensive universities, and public and private four-year colleges. Fund-raising data from the years 1985-86 through 1987-88 were used to determine institutional success ratings. Development officers were asked to rate the importance of each program aspect to fund-raising success and evaluate each aspect at their own institutions. Program aspects investigated include the donor research system, donor tracking system, management information system, market position analysis, planning and goal-setting, program evaluation, staff evaluation, chief development officer role, chief development officer leadership, close relationship with donors, commitment to excellence, commitment to the institution, entrepreneurial atmosphere, institutional commitment to fund-raising, institutional image defined and well-known, presidential leadership in fund-raising, and trustee participation and support. Results are presented and interpreted. They suggest general agreement on important program aspects, with some differences in perception by institution type. Includes 12 references. (MSE)