Hoosiers Trust Nonprofits to Do What Is Right, Indiana University Survey Finds
The study found an "underlying general tendency to trust," in which people who trusted one type of institution were more likely than others to trust others. For example, among those who trusted the federal government, more than 80 percent also trusted nonprofits and state government, and more than 70 percent trusted businesses and local government.
The survey found that people with more resources, education and connections were more likely than others to trust the five types of institutions. Those with low levels of trust in nonprofits were more likely to be over 65, be a member of a minority group, have a household income of less than $35,000, and have no more than a high school education. Trust in business and government institutions also were significantly lower among minority groups and those with low education and lower household income. Religion and political orientations were not associated with trust of nonprofits but are related to trust in business and government institutions.
For more information on "Indiana Nonprofit Sector: Scope and Community Dimensions,"see http://www.indiana.edu/~nonprof/index.php. To see the complete report "Are Nonprofits Trustworthy?" go to http://www.indiana.edu/~nonprof/results/trustsurvey/trustsurvey2008.pdf.
About the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University is a leading academic center dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy and improving its practice worldwide through research, teaching, training and public affairs programs in philanthropy, fundraising and management of nonprofit organizations. A part of the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, the center operates programs on the IUPUI and IU Bloomington campuses.
About the School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Created in 1972, the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs has earned national distinction for innovative educational programs that combine administrative, social, economic, financial and environmental disciplines. It was ranked No. 2 for graduate programs in public affairs recently by U.S. News & World Report.
