American Charitable Donations Set Record in 2004

Stinginess is not among the shortcomings in the American character. According to the Giving USA Foundation, which keeps track of this kind of thing, Americans gave a record $249 billion to charity in 2004, up 5% over 2003. Of that, individual giving was $187.92 billion. Meaning that 80% of the American population or thereabouts are philanthropists.

That Americans are a religious bunch is not news, but it is illuminating to note that they tend to put their money where their mouths are. Religious organizations got $88 billion in contributions last year – about $314 per capita. After God, Americans appear to believe in education, which came in second with $34 billion in donations. Interestingly, the massive outpouring of aid to the victims of the December 26 tsunami amounted to less than 0.05% of all money donated by Americans. And while the bulk of the $1.5 to $2.5 billion given for that disaster will show up in 2005’s figures, it will likely be a small percentage overall.

Henry Goldstein, head of the Giving USA Foundation, stated, “Charitable giving is the lifeblood of more than a million American nonprofits. Contributions fund research in medicine and the social sciences, endow scholarships, support museums and orchestras, and so much more. A 5 percent increase suggests donors are 'over the hump' of the economic concerns that limited the growth of contributions in 2002 and even somewhat in 2003."

There really isn’t any commentary needed here. A society can’t be too horribly out of whack (despite what the media say to sell ad space) if it is prepared to give rather than receive on a scale like this. Political points can always be scored over who gets the funds, why it isn’t more and whether donors are tax-driven or motivated by more noble reasons. This is a case where analysis will likely make one unhappy.

Those American readers interested in breaking 2004’s record will find a list of charities on the Kensington Review’s links page. Non-Americans are equally welcome to help.



© Copyright 2005 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.
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