October 2011
Source: GivingUSA Foundation, www.GivingUSA.org
Did you know...
In 2010 Americans gave more than $290.89 billion to their favorite charities despite economic conditions. Total giving, when adjusted for inflation, was up 3.8 percent in 2010. A widely-held perception is that corporations and foundations are the biggest charitable givers. The reality is that four out of five or 80 percent of philanthropic dollars are given by individuals and bequests. Individual or household donations totaled $211.77 of the $290.89 billion given in 2010. Corporations and foundations contributed a total of 19 percent, 5 percent and 14 percent of the total philanthropic dollars in 2010.
Giving USA reported that 60 percent of public charities saw decreases in 2010. The exceptions were religion, human services, environment and animal organizations. Faith based charities, including churches, received the most charitable gifts, $100.63 billion or 35% of total contributions in 2010. Colleges, universities and educational organizations received the second largest share, 14 percent or $41.67 billion, of all charitable giving. Social or human service organizations raised $27.08 billion in 2009.
