Latino Philanthropy: Does Not Being Asked to Give or Volunteer Equal Social Exclusion?

Abstract

This thesis uses data from The Survey of Texas Adults, 2004 to analyze the giving and volunteering patterns of various groups focusing on the role of several relevant social and demographic characteristics and also focusing on whether or not an individual was asked to participate in these various activities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis is performed to test for statistical relationships between selected factors and giving and volunteering rates. In each of the analysis, logistic regression models are estimated to assess how factors such as race, education, citizenship, gender, age, income, and being asked affect the outcomes of money given to religious organizations, money given to other organizations, being asked to volunteer, and solicited for money. Findings suggest that, overall, Latinos are not significantly different in their odds of giving to religious organizations when compared to their white counterparts. The results of the next set of logistic models, however, show that Latinos have lower odds of giving to other groups or organizations. In terms of who is asked to volunteer or solicited for money, the results suggest that Latinos are not asked to volunteer at the same rate as whites; therefore, limiting an important avenue of participation. These finding confirm the hypothesis that Latinos are just as likely to make financial contributions to their local church, but they have lower odds of giving to other, nonreligious organizations. In addition, the findings confirm that Latinos are less likely to be asked to volunteer when compared to other groups.