Who Gives and Why: A Review of Academic Research

Are you looking for a systematic overview of research related to charitable giving by individuals? Look no further because René Bekkers (Utrecht University - Department of Sociology) and Pamala Wiepking (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - Department of Philanthropic Studies), have examined nearly 500 studies for their report Generosity and Philanthropy: A Literature Review. The authors explore various demographic indicators that may correlate with giving including religion, education, income, and age. Other factors may also affect philanthropy, such as the cost of giving, as well as psychological benefits. The authors also recommend areas for further research. The paper is available at the Social Science Research Network web site.