Associational Capital and Adult Charitable Giving: A Canadian Examination. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hossain, Belayet; Lamb, Laura
• Is Part Of: Nonprofit and voluntary sector quarterly. Volume 46:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 963
• Page End: 983
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: charitable giving -- associational capital -- Canada -- secular donations -- religious donations; Nonprofit organizations -- Periodicals; Voluntarism -- Periodicals; Charity organization -- Periodicals; 361.763
• DOI: 10.1177/0899764017703707
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-7640

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between associational capital, developed through participation in social networks, and charitable giving behavior in Canada. Empirical models are specified to determine whether a relationship exists between associational capital, formed in youth and adulthood, and secular and religious donation expenditures in adulthood. Tobit regression models are estimated using data from the 2010 Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (CSGVP). The results suggest that the formation of associational capital in youth and adulthood is related to larger donation expenditures, although the source of associational capital and the type of recipient organization matters. It is also found that those who participate in a variety of associations are more likely to make larger donations than those who participate in fewer types of associations. The results provide further insight into charitable giving behavior and have policy implications for public and nonprofit sectors concerned with increasing charitable donations.