Charitable Giving Fell 3.6% in 2009

Giving USA Foundation and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University today announced today that charitable contributions fell 3.6% (3.2% inflation-adjusted) in 2009, to $303.75 billion.

Donors

• Individual giving fell 0.4% (0.0% inflation-adjusted), to $227.4 billion
• Charitable bequests fell 23.9% (-23.6% inflation-adjusted), to $23.8 billion
• Foundation grantmaking fell 8.9% (-8.6% inflation-adjusted), to $38.4 billion
• Corporate giving increased 5.5% (+5.9% inflation-adjusted), to $14.1 billion

Charitable Recipients

• Giving to religion fell 0.7% (-0.3% inflation-adjusted), to $101.0 billion (33% of total giving)
• Giving to education fell 3.6% (-3.2% inflation-adjusted), to $40.0 billion (13%)
• Giving to foundations fell 8.0% (-7.6% inflation-adjusted), to $31.0 billion (10%)
• Giving to human services increased 2.3% (+2.7% inflation-adjusted), to $27.1 billion (8%)
• Giving to public benefit fell 4.6% (-4.2% inflation-adjusted), to $22.8 billion (8%)
• Giving to health increased 3.8% (4.2% inflation-adjusted), to $22.5 billion (7%)
• Giving to the arts fell 2.4% (-2.0% inflation-adjusted), to $12.3 billion (5%)
• Giving to international aid increased 6.2% (+6.6% inflation-adjusted), to $8.9 billion (3%)
• Giving to environment/animals increased 2.3% (+2.7% inflation-adjusted), to $6.2 billion (2%)

Press and blogosphere coverage:

• Associated Press
• Bloomberg
• Chronicle of Philanthropy
• New York Times
• New York Times Blog
• Wall Street Journal
• Wall Street Journal Blog