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Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Vol. 35, No. 4, 565-587 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0899764006288288

The Effects of Race, Gender, and Marital Status on Giving and Volunteering in Indiana

Debra J. Mesch

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Patrick M. Rooney

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University

Kathryn S. Steinberg

The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University

Brian Denton

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of race, gender, and marital status on giving and volunteering behavior. A second purpose is to examine these effects across different survey methodologies. Using data from Indiana households, a multimethod, multigroup research design was used to compare giving and volunteering across eight different survey methodologies. Results indicate important differences in philanthropic behaviors by gender, race, marital status, and survey methodology—even when controlling for differences in income, age, and educational attainment. These results highlight the importance of looking specifically at human and social capital variables, and survey methodology, when making assumptions about and interpreting the measurement of philanthropic behavior.

Key Words: giving • volunteering • race • gender

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