The unexpected activist: Catholic women who donate to pro-choice causes

Abstract

Social identity informs philanthropic behavior. Prior research demonstrates that donors are more likely to support individuals and groups with whom they identify. Yet individuals hold multiple social identities simultaneously. At times, these identities may be experienced as incongruent. This grounded theory study examines how the presence of incongruent identities informs philanthropic behavior by considering the experiences of Catholic women who identify as pro-choice donors and activists. Semi-structured interviews explore how participants' religious beliefs and practices influence their pro-choice philanthropy and vice versa. Findings reveal a common process that participants shared in their development from children raised in conservative, pro-life Catholic households to adults identifying as Catholic pro-choice donors and activists. The identified process extends research into social identity in donor decision-making while illustrating implications for practice by organizations representing controversial causes.