Abstract
The growing diversity of U.S. communities has led scholars to explore how racial/ethnic diversity effects social capital, civic engagement, and social trust. Less is known about the relationship between diversity and the work of community-based organizations (CBOs). In this study, we examine how the racial/ethnic composition of one ubiquitous type of CBO, religious congregations, is related to measures of organizational bridging social capital. Analyzing data collected through a census of congregations in one Midwestern county, we explore the relationship between racial/ethnic diversity and the bridging activity of religious congregations. We find that multiracial congregations are more likely to be involved with externally focused service programs, tend to support a larger number of programs, and report more interorganizational collaborators than other congregations. Our findings suggest that multiracial congregations can provide a valuable resource for increasingly diverse communities and civil society.
Highlights
Despite progress made over the last half-century, race relations continue to be a source of concern in U.S communities
Civil society has long been a hallmark of American democracy and most often refers to the aggregate of community-based organizations (CBOs) and associations that operate outside the state and market to support the welfare of citizens (Anheier 2014; Edwards 2014)
Do multiracial congregations represent stores of bridging social capital in the form of externally focused programs and services? Second, do multiracial congregations report more interorganizational collaborations than other congregations do as they engage in service provision? Both are important questions that may help us better understand the impact of diversity on civil society and the role diverse CBOs might play in strengthening communities
Summary
Despite progress made over the last half-century, race relations continue to be a source of concern in U.S communities. According to at least one recent national poll, a majority of Americans (74%) feels race relations are bad (Dann 2017) Such realities have led observers to ask what impact racial/ethnic diversity may have on the social cohesion of communities and on the strength of civil society. Despite the fact that most congregations continue to be segregated by race, the number of multiracial congregations—those in which the majority group makes up less than 80 percent—is increasing (Chaves and Anderson 2014). These congregations bring people together across social divisions We explore how diversity is related to the provision of community services and to the extent of congregations’ interorganizational collaboration
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