A new survey (Giving USA 2008) released last week said that charitable giving in the United States is estimated to be $306.39 billion in 2007. Gifts from individuals and foundations to international aid agencies, environmental groups and human services organizations saw the largest increases.
20 years ago, gifts to international organizations were so small that the category was non-existent in the survey. Since then, it has grown steadily, increasing by 13% last year to $13.22 billion. This is 4.3% of total estimated giving in the U.S.
Steve Gunderson, president and chief executive of the Council on Foundations told the Washington Post that "in a global economy, you have global philanthropy."
See: Special Report from the Nonprofit Times; Despite Economic Dip, Giving Rose in 2007
Photo courtesy of James Jordan
