from The Chronicle of Philanthropy:

What Makes Donors Give: a New Study Offers Clues

Affluent donors, and those with more years of education, are more likely to be motivated to give to causes that allow them to “make the world a better place,” rather than to groups that meet basic needs, according to a new study whose results were presented here today at the annual meeting of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

… The study examined motivations to give among people in different regions of the country as well as examing those who had similar ages, education levels, and incomes.