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Americans Gave More to Charity Last Year

But the $290B we ponied up in 2010 is still below 2007 levels

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 20, 2011 6:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – Charitable giving increased last year as the economy improved, rising 3.8% to $290.89 billion, up from $280.3 billion in 2009. "There was a lot more optimism, all relative, in 2010," says an analyst. "People are still generous despite uncertainty, despite not having jobs, and despite confusion about what the future holds." But "if giving continues at this two or three percent (growth) level, it's going to take us a while to get back to where we were before."

So where were we before? In 2007, giving peaked at $310.57 billion. The Wall Street Journal looks at what went where in 2010: More than a third of donations were directed to religious groups, though there was no growth in that sector. Education and arts saw jumps of 5.2% and 5.7%, respectively, while giving to global groups in support of relief efforts soared 15.3%, even though it made up just 5% of giving overall. Some $1.43 billion was given in response to the earthquake in Haiti.
Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have inspired international giving, says an analyst.
Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have inspired international giving, says an analyst.   (Getty Images)
Last year's grand total: $290.89 billion.
Last year's grand total: $290.89 billion.   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
guvner
Jun 20, 2011 12:52 PM CDT
And because something is actually going in the right direction, Obama is sure to mess with it. He could care less about charities, all he cares about is getting more of other peoples money to fund the public sector and placate his constituents. "Charitable Deduction Limit: Bad For Art Nonprofits?" "High-net-worth donors disproportionately are more likely to give to the arts," ...about 70 percent of wealthy donors reported making gifts to arts  ( http://www.npr.org/2011/02/17/133810779/charitable-deduction-limit-bad-for-art-nonprofits ) see also: "Obama's Plan to Reduce Charitable Deductions for the Wealthy Draws Criticism" Several billion dollars could be lost in charitable gifts because of the tax proposal, say philanthropy scholars... ( http://philanthropy.com/article/Obamas-Plan-to-Reduce/63024/ )
BlueAyez
Jun 20, 2011 9:51 AM CDT
I won't knock people who give to charities but I do question some of their motives. For instance the billionaire who gave his daughter's non-profit enough money so she could build and curate a museum that houses his art collection. Last time I checked that was not exactly charity. In the meantime don't discount the millions of hours donated by people to such organizations as the Red Cross or the Tzu Chi free medical clinics in the US and world wide.
criminalsArestupid
Jun 20, 2011 7:18 AM CDT
Americans have always had the biggest heart in the world when it comes to helping others. Just look at the track record. And to think, there are those in power who believe volunteering for charity should be mandated. Sounds like a socialist idea to me.

 
philanthropy • Bill Gates • Warren Buffett • charitable giving • Haiti donations • donations

 
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