U.S. Charities See Sharp Decline in Donations

    By Hugh Collins
    Posted 6:41AM 10/18/10 Posted under: Economy, People
    The biggest U.S. charities saw the sharpest decline in donations in 20 years in 2009, with donations down by an average of 11%, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

    Only four of the top 10 saw contributions rise last year. They were Catholic Charities USA, the AmeriCares Foundation, Feed the Children and World Vision. Catholic Charities USA saw a 66% increase in donations. United Way Worldwide, the Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society all saw donations fall.

    Nonprofits told the Chronicle of Philanthropy that they don't expect 2010 to be much better.

    The 400 institutions surveyed by the Chronicle of Philanthropy raised a total of $68.6 billion in 2009.

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    Tagged: charity, economy, philanthropists, philanthropy

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    georgii1

    20% hold 93% of the nation's wealth, and 1% hold 43% of the nation's cash. The middle class has taken a beaten and charities know this. Seems to me they'd shift their contribution drives over to the group that have the money or just accept that the majority of the people will no longer be able to support their causes. It's like churches where half the members aren't working anymore - well, they gotta cut back or shut down. One way to cut back would be to quit sending all those mailings to people that don't have money or jobs anymore.

    October 18 2010 at 1:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply