The Clash of Generations: Driving Forces Behind Charitable Giving Among Older and Younger Muslims

Abstract

In this exploratory, survey-based study (n = 606), we examined whether Muslim perceptions about giving have changed due to the increased government scrutiny of charitable donations. We also examined age-based differences in preferences for cash versus non-cash donations, sending cash abroad versus giving within the U.S., and the likelihood of Muslims donating to causes that benefit non-Muslims. Our empirical models controlled for demographic differences such as gender, marital status, income, education, race etc. Our statistical results suggest that in the U.S. (1) some Muslims feel that charitable giving to Muslim causes has decreased as a result of monitoring of such giving by the government; (2) older Muslims tend to prefer documented means of giving as opposed to cash donations; (3) Muslims who prefer to donate in cash within the U.S. tend to be similar in age to those who prefer to send money abroad; and (4) age has no bearing on U.S. Muslims’ likelihood of donating Zakat to causes that benefit non-Muslims. Implications are discussed.