Social capital and philanthropy: An analysis of the impact of social capital on individual giving and volunteering

  • May 2026
  • Academic / Journal Article
  • Publisher : Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly
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This article examines the influence of social capital on individual philanthropic behaviors, specifically giving and volunteering. Utilizing data from the Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey, the authors identify two key measures of social capital: associational networks and trust in others/community. The study finds that both bonding and bridging social capital significantly predict an individual’s propensity to engage in religious giving, secular giving, and volunteering, though the effects vary with demographic context. The research suggests that fostering diverse social ties can enhance individual civic engagement and philanthropic participation.

Author(s) :

Eleanor Brown, James M. Ferris

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Key topics

Social Justice, Philanthropy and Human Rights

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