The newly released Giving USA 2009 report showed that despite the beginning of the recession, charitable giving only dropped 2.7% in 2008. The Giving USA press release is available here.
According to the University of Kent, people should not assume that philanthropy will be drastically affected by the economy: “Charitable giving is a very complex and personal decision that is not driven solely by how much spare money someone has […] If the main reason people made donations was because they could afford to, then every rich person would be a philanthropist, and every fundraiser would walk away with a big [check].” Also, poorer people would not be generous because they could not afford it. However, as reported in an earlier article, the poorest 10% give away a larger percentage of their income than the richest 10% do.
Years of fundraising show that people do not give solely because they have the capacity to do so. Research shows that donors give:
- Because they think they can make a difference in a cause they find important
- Because giving makes them feel good
- Because they care about others
- Because they have been raised to believe it is their duty to give back
- Because they want to be involved in a charity they respect
- Because their family and friends support a certain charity
- Because their religion encourages generosity
- Because they enjoy fundraising events and meeting new people
- Because it would weigh on their conscience if they did not give
- Because giving enhances their lives
Just because the economy is declining does not mean that donors will disappear. People will continue to support causes they believe in.
Information taken from: “When America Sneezes, We May Have Already had the Jab.” University of Kent. <http://blogs.kent.ac.uk/>.
-- Ashley High is a Research Assistant at Christian Foundation Grants (www.christianfoundationgrants.com) which is a subscription database of foundations that provide grants to faith based organizations. iDonate.com is a website (www.iDonate.com) that allows ministries to receive non cash gifts online