The Giving USA Foundation recently announced that charitable giving in the U.S. reached new heights of $248.52 billion dollars for 2004.  This year’s Giving USA report is the 50^th edition.

   

Of note, donations to Tsunami relief for the December 26 disaster were a small percentage of the total, less than one-half of one percent.  The majority of Tsunami relief related gifts will be counted in the 2005 figures.

 

Further, Giving USA reports an increase in gifts ranging from 4 to 9 percent from four types of sources:  individual donors; bequests by deceased individuals; foundations; and corporations.

The report also indicates that religious organizations received the largest share of contributions with over $88 billion in estimated contributions given to congregations and other religious groups in 2004.  With estimated contributions of $34 billion, education is the next largest category. 

Fifty-five percent of responding organizations to the Giving USA Survey reported increases in charitable gifts in 2004 over those received in 2003.  Sixty percent of large organizations (those with charitable gifts totaling $20 million or more), reported giving as increased. 

 

The report includes results from Giving USA’s first ever survey about deferred gifts, other than bequests.  The complete Giving USA 2005 report (covering 2004) is available by calling 847/375-4709 or by downloading an order form from www.givingusa.org  Giving USA 2005 is $65.  Other formats including CD and a subscription to the quarterly are available.