1
Return

The Matthew Effect in American Generosity? Philanthropic Disparities and the Role of Government Support

delete2026-08-13
delete0
delete
OA
AI
V
Viviana Chiu Sik Wu
J
Ji Ma
C
Chao Guo *
DOI:10.1111/puar.70163delete
deleteOriginal
deleteShare
deleteSave
View PDF
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
This study examines how economic, racial, and ecological dimensions of community disadvantage shape philanthropic donations to local human services nonprofit sectors, and whether government support mitigates these place-based disparities. Using a novel county-level panel dataset spanning 2000–2019, we combine descriptive analyses with mixed-effects regression models to estimate both direct and moderating relationships. We find that per capita private donations are significantly lower in economically deprived communities and significantly higher in rural communities, while minority prominence shows no statistically significant association with private giving. While government funding crowds in private donations overall, its moderating role is context specific. Government support does not attenuate philanthropic disparities linked to economic deprivation or minority prominence, but it crowds in private donations more strongly in rural counties than in urban counties. These findings highlight the contingent role of government support and underscore the need for targeted policy strategies to address philanthropic disparities across communities.
Keywords:
government support
inequality
Matthew effect
mixed effects regression
philanthropy
AI Summary

AI Summary

Key information extracted from the uploaded paper, including a brief overview, abstract, background, key highlights, visual analysis, and future outlook.

Journal

Public Administration Review cover
Public Administration Review
IF:
4.9
Papers:
5.5K
Citations:
1.3W

Organization

I
indiana university bloomington
Scholars:
541
Papers: 360
Citations: 0
U
university of massachusetts amherst
Scholars:
646
Papers: 342
Citations: 0
U
University of Pennsylvania
Scholars:
1.0W
Papers: 3.7K
Citations: 11.8W
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers