Policymakers, civic leaders, and scholars have increasingly focused their attention over the last decade-and-a-half on the importance of voluntary participation in civil society. From George H. W. Bush's Thousand Points of Light to Bill Clinton's AmeriCorps to George W. Bush's faith-based initiatives, it is undeniable that communities are looking to increase their levels of charity and voluntarism in the provision of public goods and services. What mobilizes giving and volunteering? What are the characteristics of communities that are engaged, and those that are not? What can policymakers and nonprofit managers do to change the current landscape in places with low levels of participation? These are the questions this edited collection addresses. It is the first book specifically dedicated to community giving and volunteering efforts with a best practices element. Published in cooperation with the Alan K. Campbell Public Affairs Institute at Syracuse University.

Arthur C. Brooks is associate professor of public administration, director of the Nonprofit Studies Program, and senior research associate, Campbell Public Affairs Institute, at the Maxwell School, Syracuse University. He is the co-editor of the Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society, as well as the co-author of The Performing Arts in a New Era.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Can Government Build Community? Lessons from the National Service Program
Chapter 3 Building Volunteer Capacity: The Drivers of Successful Corporate and Service Partnerships at City Year
Chapter 4 Corporate Community Service Programs: Enhancing Community Capacity?
Chapter 5 The Volunteer Center National Network: All It Can Be?
Chapter 6 Social Sector Partnerships and Voluntarism: What We Know and Still Need To Learn?
Chapter 7 How Do Need, Capacity, Geography, and Politics Influence Giving?
Chapter 8 Religion, Philanthropy, Service, and Civic Engagement in Twentieth Century America
Chapter 9 College, Social Capital, and Charitable Giving
Chapter 10 Gifts of Money in America's Community: What Can Scholarship Tell Practitioners?
Chapter 11 Why Do People Give?