The Commercialization of Faith and Its Impact on Volunteerism and Fundraising

The aim of this chapter is to assess whether an increasing commercialization of charity, in particular its need to compete with volunteerism and mission trips now offered by non-religious businesses, has an influence on the commercialization of religion. The chapter further indicates certain commercial factors affecting faith-based nongovernmental organizations’ (NGOs’) activities as well as volunteers’ regular involvement in NGO activity. The research conducted confirms the hypothesis that the commercialization of mission/charitable/solidarity actions is associated with need to expand sources of support for volunteer work and fundraising, and that this “crowding-in” [In this context—i.e. the non-profit sector “crowding-in” refers to how resources (funding, volunteers, public investment) can be increased to serve nonprofit causes. For example, this can happen due to public awareness, public investment that increases the trustiness of the private sector (Mikołajczak, 2020 ), as a result of successful fundraising campaigns (including commercialization of products or services), or receiving government grants. Crowding-out, on the other hand, occurs when the allocation of resources towards certain charitable services leaves out other causes. In addition to material support, recruitment and retention of volunteers, may also be crowded out.] challenges significantly religious-based organizations. The author further proves by using both theoretical and experiential approaches that the turn among secular organization toward “voluntourism” has provoked adoptions of, adaptations to, and even resistance to commercial practices within religious organizations in fulfilling their mission, including their field trips.