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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe severe downturn in the economy caused charitable giving in the United States to drop last year for only the second time in more than 50 years, according to a report released today by the Giving USA Foundation.
The Chicago-based foundation’s annual study was researched and written by Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy, which is headquartered in Indianapolis.
Donations to charitable causes reached an estimated $307.6 billion in 2008, down 2 percent from 2007, when giving hit a record $314 billion. It was the first decline in donations since 1987 and just the second drop since Giving USA began publishing its yearly report in 1956.
“With the United States mired in a recession throughout 2008, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that charitable giving would be down,” said Del Martin, chairwoman of the foundation, in a written statement. “However, what we find remarkable is that individuals, corporations and foundations still provided more than $307 billion to causes they support.”
Two-thirds of public charities saw decreases in donations last year, the report said. The exceptions were religion, public-society benefit and international affairs, the study said.
Researchers said it was clear that Americans weren’t being stingy. In the context of gross domestic product, giving is almost as strong historically as it’s ever been, the study found. Estimates for 2008 indicate giving was 2.2 percent of GDP, down only slightly from 2.3 percent the year before.
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