American Generosity

Who Gives and Why

Oxford UP, 2016

15 min read

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Report breaks new ground on American giving habits.

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Researchers Patricia Snell Herzog and Heather E. Price break new ground in this report on American giving habits. Their analysis, based on comprehensive 2010 findings from the Science of Generosity Initiative, includes the large dynamics and small nuances that influence individual giving patterns. Herzog and Price make their academic source material accessible by referring to a dozen individual case studies that represent a cross-section of Americans. You’ll learn why wealthy people are not necessarily the most generous, and why some people donate time instead of money. Herzog and Price also offer simple suggestions for increasing generosity in your life. getAbstract recommends their analysis to academic, philanthropic and nonprofit organization professionals, as well as to readers curious about “who gives and why.”

Summary

Faces Behind the Numbers

After tallying the answers of 2,000 respondents in a national survey about Americans’ charitable giving practices, researchers selected 12 individual case studies to represent a cross-section of demographics, backgrounds and viewpoints.

The following people – reference points in illustrating the generosity of Americans in various categories – come from a mix of racial, ethnic, educational, religious and economic backgrounds:

Susan Baker – A white, college-educated, married woman with one child, who works as an independent contractor and lives in a wealthy Los Angeles suburb.
Ryan Dewey – A white single man in his 20s who is pursuing his doctoral degree full time at a Midwest graduate school.
Jackie Sawyer – A white, middle-class, married mother of two who lives in a Michigan suburb and works as an immunization nurse.
George Nettleson – A white, middle-class, religious Southerner and married father of three who works in IT.
Michael Johnson – A white, upper-middle-class, employed widower who owns a home ...

About the Authors

Co-investigator on the Science of Generosity Initiative Patricia Snell Herzog is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Arkansas. Heather E. Price is a co-investigator on the Science of Generosity Phase II.

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J. G. 8 years ago

I find it interesting that the first 7 examples of the research are white middle -upper class, all very positive and the first example of ethnic diversity is a single black mother in a crime ridden neighborhood, and a single pregnant Latino. After reading that I decided not to read the rest. Where are the positive non-white examples from the research. This doesn't represent what I know about people that give or not. Maybe they are in the book but I don't think I'll be reading this one.

Patricia Snell Herzog and Heather E. Price