Giving behavior of low-income citizens: Predictors on participation and philanthropic effort

This study explores giving behavior of the low-income citizens who are generally considered as recipients of welfare services. For empirical analysis, this study uses data from 1,961 low-income citizens among the respondents of Seoul Welfare Panel Survey by Seoul Welfare Foundation who earn less than 200% of the minimum cost of living. The results of descriptive analysis are as follows: (1) low-income citizens’ participation level in giving is 10.4%; (2) their annual average amount of giving is about 20 dollars; and (3) considering donors among low-income citizens, the level of philanthropic effort is 0.0153 which is much higher than the level (0.0106) of donors among Seoul citizens. For the analysis of participation and effort in giving, this study employs Heckman selection model. The results from Heckman Selection Model are as follows: (1) female(+), educational level(+), religiosity(+), happiness(+), level of self-reliance(+), self-confidence(+), volunteering(+), recognition on cit