Salt Lake Tribune - Faith: "The limits of largesse
Americans tend to give more freely when they see victims as innocent, patterns show
By Jeffrey MacDonald
Religion News Service
Donations have been pouring in for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. For chronic problems, such as poverty, fundraisers find people are less generous if they see victims as responsible for their problems. (Lance Murphey/The Associated Press)
As Americans set new records for charitable giving in response to Hurricane Katrina, some fundraisers are seeing a principle confirmed: When the suffers are perceived as innocent victims, donors respond generously.
On the other hand, giving patterns suggest donors are losing patience with chronic problems such as poverty, in which suffering is arguably exacerbated by questionable choices. Private donations are shrinking for homeless shelters, AIDS-related services and programs for troubled youth, to cite just a few examples. "
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