A Couple's Religious Affiliation Status and Charitable Giving: A Closer Look

ABSTRACT This study examines how religious dynamics in a household are connected to its giving patterns. Specifically, we test how a married or cohabitating heterosexual couple's religious affiliation status relates to the likelihood of donation by tracking the shifts using a three‐tiered classification: (1) general giving, (2) giving to religious and secular organizations, (3) giving to religious congregations, religiously identified nonprofit organizations (RINOs), and nonreligiously identified nonprofit organizations (NRINOs). The analysis reveals distinct relationships between the five configurations of religious affiliation of a couple and the likelihood of donation, implying the role that religion continues to play in practices of giving. In particular, differentiating nonprofits based on their religious identity offers new insights into how interfaith couples make their donation decisions. The findings also suggest that when only one partner is religiously affiliated, the woman's affiliation, rather than the man's, is the primary driver of non‐congregational giving.