Giving Statistics
In 2007, giving to charities rose 1 percent from 2006 levels, when adjusted for inflation. For the first time since the economic downturn started in 2001, giving to every subsector increased over the last year; a positive development, especially in today’s tough economic environment, with demand for charitable services ever increasing. Few people realize how large charities have become, how many vital services they provide, and how much funding flows through them each year. Without charities and non-profits, America would simply not be able to operate. Their operations are that big.
How big?
- Total giving to charitable organizations increased to $306 billion in 2007 (2.2 percent of GDP). This is an increase of 1 percent from 2006 (when adjusted for inflation).
- The majority of that giving came from individuals, $229 billion (74.8%). Giving by individuals dropped by 0.1 percent (when adjusted for inflation).
- Giving by bequest was $23.2 billion (up 4 percent from 2006), foundations gave $38.5 billion (up 7.3 percent), and corporations donated $15.7 billion (down 0.9 percent).
- Religious organizations received the most support--$102.3 billion. Much of these contributions can be attributed to people giving to their local place of worship. The next largest sector was education ($43.3 billion).
- International charities reported the largest increase in donations. These groups received $13.2 billion (up 12.9 percent), a large percentage of that money received from donors retained after their initial donations in response to Hurricane Katrina and the December 2004 tsunamis.
- All categories of charities saw increases in contributions: giving to environmental organizations increased 7.7 percent (when adjusted for inflation), giving to human services groups increased 5.4 percent, giving to arts, culture and humanities organizations increased 4.8 percent, and giving to health charities increased by 2.4 percent.
All data property of Giving USA 2007, the Annual Report on Philanthropy, published by the AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy.
