“No one has ever become poor by giving.”
― Anne Frank, diary of Anne Frank
Charity and being Charitable are the focus of our Virtue of the Week. It is said that Charity begins at home and we have seen time and time again the way that Americans reach deep for emergencies and causes not only in our own towns and states but across the world.
According to Giving USA, a report compiled annually by the American Association of Fundraising Counsel, figures on American philanthropy in 2010 showed that:
- Americans gave more than $290.89 billion to their favorite causes despite the economic conditions. Total giving, when adjusted for inflation, was up 3.8 percent in 2010. This slight increase is reflective of recovering economic confidence.
- The greatest portion of charitable giving, $211.77 billion, was given by individuals or household donors. Gifts from individuals represented 73 percent of all contributed dollars, a slight increase from 2009 figures.
- Charitable bequests, which are made by individuals, totaled $22.83 billion or 8 percent of total giving. Charitable bequests rose an estimated 18.8 percent. The sum of gifts by individuals and charitable bequests is $234.6 billion or 81 percent of total giving.
- Foundations gave $41 billion, accounting for 13 percent of all philanthropy in the USA.
- Individual, bequest and estimated family foundation giving combined were approximately $254.10 billion or 87 percent of total giving.
The United States ranked as most generous country in the world in the second annual study of 153 countries – the Charity Aid Foundation concluded that the U.S. has demonstrated “strong” behavior across all three criteria measured — volunteering, helping strangers and donating money. The U.S. has increased its charity by 3 percentage points this year, up to $212 billion.
“The point to leave with American leaders is the world really needs America; it needs its generosity, its resource and spirit, and though times are really hard, this is the time we need to keep giving as much as we possibly can,” Richard Harrison, director of research at the UK-based Charities Aid Foundation told The NonProfit Times.
A thought to keep in mind is that money is not always needed – time, kindness and a helping hand go just as far as dollars.
Some of our favorite examples of the Charitable Virtue in Action:
Especially in times of great need or a disaster, make sure you investigate the organization that you are donating to – a good site is: List of Charities rated by Charity Watch.
How are YOU being Charitable this week? Share your story and your favorite organizations!
