By Jamie Barrie A mericans are giving more than ever hitting $373.3 billion in 2015. Single person donations make up two-thirds of that amount. According to Giving USA’s annual philanthropy report, gifts from individuals, estates, foundations and compa- nies grew 4.1 percent last year. A great year but 2014 was even better with growth reported at 6.0%. The continued growth in 2015 shows that even with poor economic conditions benevolent giving, especially by individuals, is still rising. The Giving Institute’s Giving USA Foundation commis- sioned the report by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The Giving Institutes Keith Curtis stated “It’s heartening that people really do want to make a difference, and they’re supporting the causes that matter to them…Americans are embracing philanthropy at a higher level than ever before.”
number is more than two-thirds of the aggregate contri- butions in the U.S. last year. The report also found gifts totalling $100 million or more approximated $3.3 billion in 2015 founded on data released to the public. No amount is too small. Gifts totaling $10 or $20 aided the 3.8 percent increase in total giving by individuals. “Phi- lanthropy is quite democratic and always has been” said Patrick M. Rooney, associate dean for academic affairs and research at the Lilly school. “More people give than vote in the U.S.” Foundations remained a strong source of giving. They increased 6.5 percent to $58.5 billion last year. The other growth area was benevolent endowments which increased 2.1 percent to $31.8 billion. Corporate giving increased 3.9 percent to $18.5 billion. When studying why people donate, religion remains far and away the largest area of support reaching $119.3 billion. Surprisingly Education was next with $57.5 billion and third humanitarian giving at $45.2 billion.
Single person donations made up $264.6 billion. That
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AUGUST 2016 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
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