community-involvement
Active participation in religious and secular organizations significantly increases the likelihood and frequency of volunteering and charitable giving.
2 chapters across 1 book
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000)Robert D. Putnam
Chapter 7 explores the relationship between altruism, volunteering, philanthropy, and social capital, emphasizing that social networks foster norms of reciprocity and collective action. The chapter highlights how involvement in community and religious organizations strongly predicts giving time and money, with education, wealth, and community size also influencing altruistic behaviors. It argues that social capital, more than financial capital, drives generosity and sustained volunteering, underscoring the importance of 'doing with' rather than merely 'doing for' others.
Chapter 7 of Robert D. Putnam's "Bowling Alone" explores the dynamics of altruism, volunteering, and philanthropy in American society, emphasizing their roles as indicators of social capital. The chapter synthesizes various studies and surveys to analyze patterns and predictors of charitable giving and volunteerism, highlighting the influence of community involvement, social ties, demographic factors, and organizational participation. It also discusses the professionalization of philanthropy and the importance of being asked to volunteer, while considering the interplay between individual motivations and broader social networks.