Generalized generosity: Lessons from a social and educational organization

Abstract

While the personal and social benefits of generosity have been demonstrated in sociological studies, little is known about the levers and mechanisms of generosity within organizations. This article explores how members of a social and educational organization can participate in the culture of generosity. Based on an analysis of 89 semi-structured interviews with members of five different institutions oriented toward youth education, the authors provide insight into the different ways to contribute to disseminating generosity. Our study reveals how certain managerial practices can be effective levers for developing generalized generosity within an educational organization. We also show that each member of this type of organization is assigned specific roles of giver and receiver to enable their participation in the educational project.