Examining how Individual Philanthropic Actions Influence Community Well-Being

In this pilot study we have analyzed the ways in which philanthropic actions influence community well-being. Different studies about the action of giving—money, resources, support—have shown that this giving action is not only influential on the well-being of the people who receive it, but it is also influential on the well-being of those who perform such action (Bekkers & Wiepking Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 40(5), 924-973, 2011; Young et al. Review of Philosophy and Psychology, 3, 325-334, 2012; Surana & Lomas, 2014). But, does individual giving exert an influence over community well-being? Community well-being is the combination of social, economic, environmental, cultural, and political conditions identified by individuals and their communities as essential for them to thrive and develop their potential (Wiseman & Brasher Journal of Public Health Policy, 29(3), 353-366, 2008, p. 358). In this article we explore the vision of donors, and its general effect on community well-being. It is a pilot case study developed by applying a qualitative method, in an attempt to understand the intentions of the participants in events, situations, or actions they are involved in, including the particular context within which they act, and the influence this context has on those actions (Yin, 2003). Ten Argentine adults, living in different localities, men and women, between 40 and 70 years of age, who engage in philanthropic acts were interviewed. Interviews focused on the axis of data: sex, age, educational level, and the scope of their philanthropic activities; the kind of philanthropic actions they developed; their reasons for choosing the groups they help; former experience in philanthropic activities; the effects on the community where the activity takes place; the effect that this kind of activities may have on their circle of friends; the spread of their philanthropic actions in educational institutions, sporting clubs, associations, and others. Data is analyzed applying the Thematic Analysis Strategy. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.