Washington D.C. (RNS) Religious organizations reported a 0.7 percent decrease in donations last year, according to a study by Giving USA Foundation, a marked contrast from the 5.5 percent increase in giving reported in 2008. Total donations for all charitable groups in 2009 were down by 3.6 percent.
Religious congregations accounted for 33 percent of the total $303 billion in contributions in 2009. This is the third year in a row that religious donations have exceeded $100 billion.
The survey showed that foundations lost $31 billion in 2009, an 8 percent decrease from 2008. Donations to public organizations fell by $22.7 billion — a 4.6 percent decline — while international aid organizations received about $9 billion, a 6 percent increase.
“While overall giving declined, many donors — including individuals and foundations — made special efforts in 2009 to respond to greater humanitarian needs,” said foundation chair Edith Falk in a statement.
The majority of donations came from individual contributors, who gave more than $227 billion.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
