Abstract:

We use unique data from the Boston Non-Profit Organizations Study, an innovative
survey containing rich information on organizational participation across seven social
domains in two Boston neighborhoods, to examine the relationship between
ethnic diversity and participation in local organizations. In particular, we identify
neighborhood-based social ties as a key mechanism mediating the initial negative
association between diversity and participation. In contrast to previous work, we
measure participation using both the domain-based and group-based approach, with
the former approach uncovering a wider range of organizational connections that
are often missed in the latter approach.We also investigate the relationship between
interpersonal ties and organizational ties, documenting how primary involvement
with an organization facilitates the development of further interpersonal ties and
secondary forms of organizational involvement. We then discuss implications of our
findings for urban poverty research.