Large Corporations, Social Capital, and Community Philanthropy

This article theorizes and tests a model suggesting how large corporations influence community philanthropy through direct engagement and by indirectly shaping community social capital. Analyzing United Way contributions in 136 U.S. cities over 46 years, the study finds that corporate presence weakens the contributions of both elite and working-class social capital to community philanthropy. The findings offer a novel perspective on corporate social responsibility, focusing on how corporations impact the social fabric that sustains generosity and mutual support within communities.