The purpose of this quantitative, internet-based, self-reported study of grant personnel at 85 public community colleges, was to identify factors that indicate the optimum circumstances under which public community college faculty can be engaged in participating in resource development processes necessary to receive external funding in the form of grants. Variables included, but were not limited to, faculty characteristics such as unionization, salary, and tenure; institutional characteristics, such as size, location, years of existence of grants office, and enrollment; and, incentives, such as promotions, stipends, professional development opportunities, and release time, which are offered by college administration to entice faculty to participate in grant writing and associated activities. The results of this study demonstrated that while institutional commitment, and the inherent characteristics demonstrated as such, are important to the successful pursuit of external funding, it is the college administration's support of the grant office and staff which is significant, not the ability to offer incentives to faculty. This support from administration allows for the cultivation of relationships vital to the engagement of faculty members in grantsmanship and associated activities, including service as principal investigator, project director or grant manager. Further research is recommended to examine motivation from the faculty's point of view. Since significant relationships were uncovered related to community college grant functions and the engagement of faculty in grantsmanship activities, further study is recommended related to the institutional commitment of community colleges toward the development and ongoing support of grant offices and resource development staff dedicated to the pursuit of grants. The recommendations for further research will continue to identify and clarify key elements related to successful application by community colleges to competitive grant funded programs, regardless of the funding agency, in order to secure external funding essential to carrying out institutional missions and meeting strategic goals. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]