GIVING USA 2010

The Annual Report on Philanthropy

for the Year 2009

Researched and written by

 GIVING USA™
2010
The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 20089

55th Annual Issue

Researched and Written at

Publisher Giving USA 2010: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the year 2009 is copyright © 2010,
Giving USA Foundation™. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written
permission from Giving USA Foundation.
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For media inquiries, please contact Sharon Bond, 847/375/4836 or [email protected].
For scholarly citations, the preferred form is the American Psychological Association style for
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Speakers may cite Giving USA. Use of Giving USA results in presentations, text, online format,
or other contexts must credit Giving USA 2010 or Giving USA Foundation.
Giving USA is a public outreach initiative of Giving USA Foundation. The Foundation,
established in 1985, by what is now the Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits,
endeavors to advance philanthropy through research and education.
GIVING USA 2010

Foreword

Edith H. Falk Nancy L. Raybin Patrick M. Rooney, Ph.D.

Chair Chair Executive Director
Giving USA Foundation Giving Institute: Leading The Center on Philanthropy
Consultants to Non-Profits at Indiana University

Total charitable giving fell 3.6 percent benchmark their organization’s fund-
(-3.2 percent adjusted for inflation) in raising results and plans. Having annual
2009, to an estimated $303.75 billion. giving data that has been collected in a
This is the steepest decline in current consistent manner over more than 50
dollar terms since Giving USA began its years enables us to see trends, identify
annual reports in 1956. factors that impact giving and develop
strategies that can enhance results with-
Last year was also the worst year eco- in our own organizations.
nomically in America since the Great
Depression. At least through mid-year, Because Giving USA began keeping
financial transactions of all kinds records more than 50 years ago, we can
slowed while people considered and compare giving in 2009 with much ear-
worried about the future. Nonetheless, lier periods after adjusting for inflation.i
Americans continued to give—less In 1974, for example, after inflation
often perhaps, more quietly than in the adjustment, giving fell by 5.5 percent. In
past—to charity. 2009, we estimate that decline is 3.2
percent. Some of the potential reasons
One of the purposes of Giving USA is to for a less-severe decline in 2009, com-
help donors, policy makers, and social pared with the 1973-1975 recession,
observers ask the sometimes difficult include the following:
questions about how individuals and
society collectively set priorities for „„ Average household giving in this
allocating resources. An equally impor- decade is more, on average, than it
tant purpose is to help practitioners was in the early 1970s.

Giving USA Foundation™ GIVING USA 2010 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5

GIVING USA 2010 GIVING USA 2010

Foreword Foreword
—— In 2009, total individual giving have well-staffed, volunteer-led fund- Our work is guided by an advisory i The figures marked “adjusted for inflation” for this
year’s report are actually adjusted for deflation. In
averaged $1,940 per household raising programs that successfully raise council that includes 20 researchers and 2009, the Consumer Price Index indicated a period
(including non-donors) and for millions of dollars. Others have less scholars of philanthropy. The council of price drops rather than increases. The basket of
reviews the methods and results each goods and services that was priced at $100 in 2009
1974, total individual giving well-established fundraising programs would have cost $100.40 in 2008. Thus, a rate of
averaged $1,323 per household or programs that are heavily dependent year; annually, estimates from the prior change in giving that is a drop of 3.6 percent in cur-
(including non-donors)ii on a single source of philanthropic sup- year are revised to incorporate the most rent dollars is a drop of 3.2 percent adjusted for
deflation. We have continued to label graphs as
„„ More women are in control of their port and are, thus, more vulnerable in recent data released by the IRS. “adjusted for inflation” because that is the term most
an economic downturn. Because Giving commonly understood to represent changes in
own resources in 2009 than there In conclusion, Giving USA is an unpar- prices for a market basket of goods and services.
were in 1974. In fact, women are now USA estimates provide a national look alleled resource for understanding char- ii U.S. Census Bureau, Table HH-5, Households by
50 percent of the labor force. Women at charitable giving, any one organiza- itable giving. We consider it an honor to
Tenure, Race and Hispanic Origin of the
Householder, 1970 to present, available from http://
often make many, if not most, of a tion might experience changes in its offer it as a public service to the www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam.
household’s philanthropic decisions. own gift receipts that differ from the American nonprofit sector. html.
iii Women as a share of the labor force: Bureau of
When they have their own income, overall picture. Labor Statistics, Employment of women on nonfarm
they give more than men with similar payrolls by industry sector, Table B-5 of the March
incomes.iii Our reported decline of 3.6 percent in 2010 Economic News Release, http://www.bls.gov/
news.release/empsit.t21.htm. Women making phil-
total giving (-3.2 percent adjusted for
„„ More nonprofit organizations have Edith H. Falk anthropic decisions: B. Yörük, Charitable giving by
inflation) is consistent with charities married couples revisited, Journal of Human
organized fundraising programs Chair, Giving USA Foundation Resources, 45:2 (January 2010).
seeking philanthropic support from that responded to polls conducted by
donors. Since people say they often other research groups. Depending on
give when they are asked, having the poll, between 50 and 60 percent of
more organizations requesting gifts is organizations that chose to provide
at least part of the reason why giving information reported lower gift receipts Nancy Raybin
is higher. in 2009 compared with 2008. That Chair, Giving Institute: Leading
means that 40 to 50 percent reported Consultants to Non-Profits
Charitable giving in 2009 includes sig-
that giving in 2009 was the same as or
nificant commitments made by many
greater than that in 2008. In any given
donors, including individuals, founda-
tions, and corporations, to provide year, whether overall giving is up or
financial and in-kind support for the not, at least half of organizations experi- Patrick M. Rooney, Ph.D.
work done by the nation’s 1.4 million or ence a different result Executive Director, The Center on
more charitable organizations. Even as Philanthropy at Indiana University
Giving USA is a trusted source for
many long-time donors felt the need to information, data and trends about the
pull back from giving, some others
philanthropic sector. We do not rely on
increased their efforts. Giving USA esti-
anecdotal stories to compile our
mates that charitable giving in 2009 was
reports. We use estimating methods
2.1 percent of Gross Domestic Product
developed by experts in philanthropy,
(GDP). In 1974, it was 1.8 percent of
statistics, and economics to project
GDP.
what household tax returns and IRS
A drop of 3.6 percent in current dollars Form-990s submitted by nonprofits will
for total giving reflects contributions show two or more years down the road,
large and small, at organizations of all after the Internal Revenue Service com-
types and sizes. Some organizations pletes its analyses.

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GIVING USA ESTIMATES GIVING USA ESTIMATES

Key Findings Key Findings

 otal estimated charitable giving in the United States dropped
T Giving to foundations dropped an estimated 8 percent (-7.6 percent

-8.0%
-3.6%

3.6 percent in 2009 (-3.2 percent adjusted for inflation). This reflects the adjusted for inflation), according to the Foundation Center.
continued recession in 2009, which particularly affected charitable recipients
that otherwise receive contri­butions for new buildings, endowment campaigns, Giving to human services rose an estimated 2.3 percent (2.7 percent
and long-term planning. These include education, arts, foundations, and

+2.3%
adjusted for inflation). This seems to reflect efforts that donors made to
freestanding donor-advised funds (which are part of public-society benefit). continue emergency aid services as an increasing number of people suffered
The types of charities that showed estimated growth typically provide from the continuing recession.
immediate services, such as human services, health, inter­national aid,
and even environment. Religion showed a very slight decrease. Giving for health shows an estimated increase, with growth of

+3.8%
3.8 percent (4.2 percent adjusted for inflation).
Individual giving fell an estimated 0.4 percent in 2009 (no change
adjusted for inflation). Many reports suggest that individual contributions
increased toward the very end of the year, as stock market indices rose and Giving for public-society benefit organizations declined an

-4.6%
as media coverage highlighted the needs faced by charitable organizations. estimated 4.6 percent (-4.2 percent adjusted for inflation).

Charitable bequests fell an estimated 23.9 percent in 2009 (-23.6 percent Giving to arts, culture and humanities organizations dropped
-23.9%

-2.4%
adjusted for inflation). This reflects the unusually high level of bequest giving an estimated 2.4 percent (-2.0 percent adjusted for inflation).
announced in 2008 by the Internal Revenue Service in its data released in late
2009. The 2009 estimate is $0.58 billion (2.5 percent) above the 2007 estimate.
Giving to international affairs (which includes aid, development, and

+6.2%
Foundation grantmaking by private, community, and operating relief activities) increased 6.2 percent (6.6 percent adjusted for inflation).
-8.9%

foundations fell by 8.9 percent, according to the Foundation Center (-8.6

percent adjusted for inflation). This is a less severe drop than foundations Giving to individuals decreased by 3.6 percent in current dollars in 2009.

-3.6%
anticipated when the Foundation Center surveyed them early in 2009. Most often, these are gifts of medications to patients in need and are made
by operating foundations created by pharmaceutical manufacturers. These
Corporate giving rose an estimated 5.5 percent (5.9 percent adjusted gifts are estimated to have remained relatively steady in 2009.
+5.5%

for inflation). This unexpected bounce takes corporate giving to within

1 percent of its pre-recession level. According to at least two reports
(Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy and Silicon Valley ** Deductions carried over and other unallocated giving includes
Community Foundation and Entre­preneurs Foundation), corporations differences in the tax year in which a gift is claimed by the donor (carried over)
increased their in-kind donations, which are less affected by recessions. and the year when the recipient organization reports it as revenue (the year in
This shift explains at least some of the growth. which it is received). It also includes gifts to government entities, which do not
report charitable contributions at a national level; gifts made to entities in other
Giving to religion fell an esti­mated 0.7 percent in 2009 (an estimated countries by foundations; and gifts made to new organizations that have not been
decrease of 0.3 percent adjusted for inflation). classified. In addition, when a donor forms a charitable trust and takes a deduction,
but does not tell the recipient organization, there is an “unallocated” amount.
Giving to education declined an estimated 3.6 percent in 2009 (-3.2
-3.6%

percent adjusted for inflation).

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GIVING USA ESTIMATES GIVING USA ESTIMATES

Giving USA 2010: The Numbers Giving USA 2010: The Numbers

2009 contributions: $303.75 billion by source of contributions „„ Total giving for 2009 is estimated to be $303.75 billion. This is a change of
($ in billions – All figures are rounded) -3.6 percent (-3.2 percent adjusted for inflation) compared with the revised
estimate of $315.08 billion for 2008.
„„ Individual giving, at $227.41 billion, includes estimated charitable deductions
on tax returns filed for 2009 and an estimate of charitable giving by taxpayers
who did not itemize deductions.
„„ The charitable bequest estimate of $23.8 billion reflects estimates for charitable
Corporations deductions on estate tax returns filed in 2009 and a conservative estimate of
$14.10
giving by estates not filing federal estate tax returns.
4%
Individuals „„ Individual giving and charitable bequests combined are $251.21 billion (83 percent
$227.41 of the total).
75%
„„ Foundation grantmaking reached an estimated $38.44 billion, according to the
Foundations Foundation Center.1 Of that, about $15.41 billion is likely to be from family
$38.44 foundations, based on family foundation grants in 2007 as reported by the
13% Foundation Center. Grantmaking by corporate foundations is included in the
estimate of corporate giving.
„„ Individual, bequest, and estimated family foundation giving combined are
Bequests
$23.80 approximately $266.61 billion, or 88 percent of the total.
8% „„ Corporate giving is estimated to be $14.10 billion. This includes an estimate from
the Foundation Center of $4.42 billion in grants made by corporate foundations.

1Key Facts on Family Foundations, January 2009

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GIVING USA ESTIMATES GIVING USA ESTIMATES

Giving USA 2010: The Numbers Giving USA 2010: The Numbers

2009 contributions: $303.75 billion by type of recipient organization „„ Overall charitable giving is estimated to have changed by -3.6 percent in 2009.
($ in billions – All figures are rounded)
„„ Despite the total decrease in giving, the relative ranking of recipient types
remained substantially the same compared with 2008 rankings (according to
Foundation grants adjusted estimates).
to individuals*
$3.51 „„ As has been the case for 55 years, religion received the largest share, with
Environment/ 1% one-third (33 percent) of the total.
animals
$6.15 „„ Education received the second-highest share, at 13 percent of the total.
Unallocated
International 2% giving** „„ Gifts to grantmaking private, community, and operating foundations are
affairs $28.59 estimated to be the third highest ranking recipient category, with 10 percent
$8.89 10% of all charitable giving for 2009.
3%
„„ Human services organizations include those responding to the economic crisis
Arts, culture,
and humanities Religion with emergency care and supplies. This type of charity received an estimated
$12.34 $100.95 9 percent of total giving in 2009.
4% 33%
Health „„ The majority of gifts in the public-society benefit subsector are to funds such
$22.46 as United Ways, Jewish federations, and freestanding donor-advised funds. This
7% subsector received an estimated 8 percent of giving.
„„ Health organizations received an estimated 7 percent of giving, and since 2008
Public-society have ranked in fifth place amongst the subsectors.
benefit „„ Arts organizations have ranked in 7th place for well over a decade and remain
$22.77
there now with 4 percent of the total.
8%
„„ International affairs organizations received 3 percent of the total estimated for 2009.
Human
services „„ Environment/animal-related organizations received an estimated 2 percent of
$27.08 Education giving in 2009.
9% $40.01 „„ Individuals received an estimated 1 percent of the dollar value of charitable
Gifts to grantmaking 13%
foundations* distributions, mostly in the form of medicines provided by operating foundations
Includes rounding to get to 100%. $31.00 sponsored by pharmaceutical companies.
*Foundation Center estimate. 10%
** See definition in “Key Findings” pages.

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GIVING USA ESTIMATES GIVING USA ESTIMATES

Giving USA 2010: The Numbers Giving USA 2010: The Numbers

Changes in giving by source, 2008–2009 and 2007–2008, „„ Total giving decreased in current-dollar terms, with an estimated change of
and 2007–2009 cumulative -3.6 percent. This is attributable to the deep and prolonged recession in 2009.
(In current dollars)
„„ Initially estimated as a decline in Giving USA 2009, contributions in 2008 were
2007–2009, Cumulative* revised to show a slight increase. The IRS released data with exceptionally large
2008-2009 charitable bequests on estate tax returns for 2008.
-3.6% Total -2.2%
2007-2008
1.5% „„ The two-year estimated total change from 2007 to 2009 was -2.2 percent.

-0.4% Individual -2.4% „„ Individual giving in 2009 shifted an estimated -0.4 percent compared with 2008.
This drop follows a decline of -2.1 percent estimated for 2008. The cumulative
-2.1% change from 2007 to 2009 is -2.4 percent.
-23.9% Bequest 2.5% „„ Estimated charitable bequests in 2009 (which include realized planned gifts)
34.7% resulted in a change of -23.9 percent compared with a revised estimate for 2008.
The 2008 results, as finalized by the IRS, include at least two very large estates
-8.9% Foundation -3.9% from Arkansas and New York that filed in 2008. The cumulative change from
5.5% 2007 to 2009 is 2.5 percent.
„„ Foundation grantmaking shifted an estimated -8.9 percent in 2009, following a
5.5% Corporate -1.0%
growth of 5.5 percent in 2008, according to data released in spring 2010 by the
-6.1% Foundation Center. This donor type saw a two-year change of -3.9 percent from
* The two-year change is calculated separately and
Percentage change from previous year is not the sum of the changes in the two years.
2007 to 2009.
„„ Corporate giving grew an estimated 5.5 percent in 2009. The two-year change
from 2007 to 2009 was a modest decline (-1.0 percent). While many—even
most—corporations gave less in 2009, the Committee Encouraging Corporate
Philanthropy found that some of the largest companies increased their
contributions, both in-kind and cash. This growth among the top corporate
donors was enough to counteract the more frequently observed declines.

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GIVING USA ESTIMATES GIVING USA ESTIMATES

Giving USA 2010: The Numbers Giving USA 2010: The Numbers

Changes in giving by source, 2008–2009 and 2007–2008, „„ The total estimated change of -3.2 percent, (after adjustment for inflation for
and 2007–2009 cumulative 2009) is a larger decline in charitable giving than the revised estimated change
(Inflation-adjusted) of -2.4 percent for 2008.
2007–2009, Cumulative* „„ Comparing 2009 with 2007, giving changed an estimated -5.5 percent.
2008-2009
-3.2% Total -5.5% „„ Individual giving is estimated to be nearly the same in 2009 as in 2008
2007-2008
-2.4% (0.0 percent change after adjusting for inflation). It changed an estimated
-5.8 percent in 2008. The two-year change from 2007 to 2009 was -5.7 percent.
0.0% Individual -5.7%
„„ Estimated charitable bequests changed by -23.6 percent, adjusted for inflation,
-5.8% in 2009. IRS data received in late 2009 show that charitable bequests increased
an estimated 29.6 percent in 2008. This includes multi-billion dollar estates in
-23.6% Bequest -1.0%
New York and Arkansas. The two-year change from 2007 to 2009 was -1.0
29.6% percent, adjusted for inflation.
-8.6% Foundation -7.2% „„ Grantmaking by independent, community, and operating foundations shifted
-8.6 percent, adjusted for inflation, in 2009. In 2008, foundation grantmaking
1.5%
rose by 1.5 percent. However, the two-year change from 2007 to 2009 was
5.9% Corporate -4.3% -7.2 percent.
-9.6% „„ Corporate giving showed a change of 5.9 percent, adjusted for inflation, in 2009.
* The two-year change is calculated separately and This includes reported growth in giving among the very largest companies,
Percentage change from previous year is not the sum of the changes in the two years.
especially in finance and pharmaceuticals, according to the Committee Encouraging
Corporate Philanthropy. Corporate giving declined by an estimated -9.6 percent
in 2008. The shift from 2007 to 2009 was -4.3 percent.

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GIVING USA ESTIMATES GIVING USA ESTIMATES

Giving USA 2010: The Numbers Giving USA 2010: The Numbers

Changes in giving by type of recipient organization, 2007–2008 and  „„ Giving to religion changed by -0.7 percent in 2009, compared with an estimated
2008–2009, and 2007–2009 cumulative increase in 2008 of 0.8 percent.
(In current dollars)
„„ Giving to education declined for the second consecutive year in 2009. The change
2007–2009, Cumulative*
is estimated to be -3.6 percent in 2009 and -5.4 percent in 2008. The two-year
2008-2009 -0.7% Religion 0.1% change, since 2007, is a drop of 8.8 percent.
2007-2008 0.8%
„„ Human services organizations are estimated to have realized a slight increase of
-3.6% Education -8.8%
-5.4% 2.3 percent, in 2009. However, despite higher giving, many studies showed they
2.3% Human services -10.4% struggled to meet increased demand. The drop in 2008 was 12.4 percent.
-12.4% -2.1%
„„ Health organizations are estimated to have seen growth of 3.8 percent in 2009,
3.8% Health -3.0%
-6.5% compared with a decline of 6.5 percent in 2008. The two-year change is a drop
-4.6% Public-society benefit 0.5% of 3.0 percent.
5.4%
-2.4% Arts, culture & humanities -8.7%
„„ Public-society benefit organizations, including United Ways, Jewish federations,
-6.5% and donor-advised funds, saw an estimated drop of 4.6 percent in 2009.
6.2% International affairs 7.2%
„„ Arts, culture, and humanities organizations received an estimated 2.4 percent less
1.0%
2.3% Environment/animals -3.8%
in 2009, following a steep decline estimated at 6.5 percent in 2008.
-5.9%
* The two-year change is calculated separately and „„ International affairs organizations saw an estimated 6.2 percent rise in giving in
Percentage change from previous year is not the sum of the changes in the two years. 2009 (before any 2010 gifts for Haitian earthquake relief). This reflects, in part,
growing interest in this mission or purpose among many foundations,
corporations, and individual donors.
„„ Environment/animal-related organizations are estimated to have seen 2.3 percent
growth in giving in 2009, following a drop of 5.9 percent in 2008. Many gifts to
these types of organizations are in the form of land and easements. It is also an
area of increased interest as climate change and other issues are highlighted in
the media.

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GIVING USA ESTIMATES GIVING USA ESTIMATES

Giving USA 2010: The Numbers Giving USA 2010: The Numbers

Changes in giving by type of recipient organization, 2007–2008 and „„ Rates of change on this page reflect adjustment for inflation. Generally, inflation
2008–2009, and 2007–2009 cumulative means $100 loses buying power over time. However, in 2009, there was a slight
(Adjusted for inflation) rate of deflation, with $100 in 2009 equivalent in buying power to $100.40 in 2008.
2007–2009, Cumulative
„„ Giving to religion changed by -0.3 percent in 2009, compared with an estimated
2008-2009 -0.3% Religion -3.3% -3.0 percent in 2008.
2007-2008 -3.0%
„„ Giving to education shifted by -3.2 percent in 2009, following a -9.0 percent change
-3.2% Education -11.9%
-9.0% in 2008.
2.7% Human services -13.5% „„ Human services contributions rose 2.7 percent in 2009, a sharp change from the
-15.8% -2.1%
estimated decrease of -15.8 percent in 2008.
4.2% Health -6.3%
-10.1% „„ Contributions to health organizations increased an estimated 4.2 percent in 2009.
-4.2% Public-society benefit -2.9% The 2008 estimate was a change of -10.1 percent from 2007.
1.4%
-2.0% Arts, culture & humanities -11.9% „„ Public-society benefit contributions shifted by an estimated -4.2 percent in 2009,
-10.1% after an increase of 1.4 percent estimated for 2008. Many of these organizations
6.6% International affairs 3.6% use a fiscal year, therefore were most affected by the recession and stock market
-2.8%
downturn in late 2008 and early 2009.
2.7% Environment/animals -7.0%
-9.4% „„ Arts, culture and humanities organizations have seen repeated drops in recent
* The two-year change is calculated separately and
Percentage change from previous year is not the sum of the changes in the two years. years. The change in 2009 was -2.0 percent, and in 2008 it was -10.1 percent.
„„ International affairs (which includes development, aid, relief, and other types of
charities) is estimated to have increased by 6.6 percent in 2009. The estimate for
2008 was a -2.8 percent change.
„„ Environment/animal-related organizations received an estimated 2.7 percent
more in contributions in 2009, compared with 2008.

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GIVING USA ESTIMATES GIVING USA ESTIMATES

Giving USA 2010: The Numbers Giving USA 2010: The Numbers

Total giving, 1969–2009 „„ Total giving has increased in current dollars in every year but two: 1987 and 2009.
($ in billions)
„„ The decline previously estimated for 2008 was eliminated when extraordinarily
350 high charitable bequests were reported on estate tax returns filed for that year.
Inflation-adjusted dollars „„ Adjusted for inflation, giving typically increases in non-recession years and stays
Current dollars
300
Inflation-adjusted dollars
flat or falls in recession years.
in recessions
„„ This year’s inflation-adjusted estimated change of -3.2 percent is not as dire as
250
was seen in some earlier recession years. In part, this is because many donors –
foundations, individuals, and others – pledged to try to maintain their giving at
200
earlier levels as much as possible.
150 „„ The 1973–1975 recession was the longest recession on record from 1938 to 2007.
In those years, giving changed a total -9.2 percent (adjusted for inflation). The
100 worst single-year decline between the Depression and 2009 was in 1974 when
total giving changed by -5.5 percent, adjusted for inflation.
50 „„ In 1987, total inflation-adjusted giving changed -4.8 percent, following an unusual
increase (14.1 percent) in 1986. The increase followed a well-publicized tax law
0 change. In 1987, the law limited tax deductions for charitable contributions.
1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009
Many people “pre-gave” in 1986 to maximize their tax deductions.
„„ History suggests that giving will increase as the economy overall recovers,
although growth in giving is likely to lag economic growth by a year or more.
After prior recessions, giving took three to five years to attain pre-recession,
inflation-adjusted levels.

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GIVING USA ESTIMATES GIVING USA ESTIMATES

Giving USA 2010: The Numbers Giving USA 2010: The Numbers

Total giving as a percentage of gross domestic product, 1969–2009 „„ Total estimated giving for 2009 was 2.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP),
based on data available in spring 2010.
2.2% 2.2% „„ While a decline from earlier levels as high as 2.3 percent of GDP (2000, 2001, and
2.1% 2.1% 2005), this level remains above the 2.0 percent threshold that marks the period
1.8% beginning with the run-up in stock market values in the mid-1990s.
1.8%
1.7% 1.7% 1.7%
„„ With 13 years above the 2.0 percent threshold, giving will need to be sustained at
similar levels for several more years to match the duration of the period from
1956 through 1972, when charitable giving was also consistently above 2.0
percent of GDP.

1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009

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GIVING USA ESTIMATES GIVING USA ESTIMATES

Giving USA 2010: The Numbers Giving USA 2010: The Numbers

The number of 501(c)(3) organizations, 2000–2009 „„ The Internal Revenue Service annually reports the number of nonprofit, charitable
1,238,201 organizations registered under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
1,186,915
1,128,367 „„ The number of organizations continues to increase. However, not all
1,045,979 1,064,191
organizations register with the IRS. Some register only at the state level; many
1,010,365 grassroots organizations do not register at all.
964,418
909,574 „„ Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations are required to register with the IRS (Form
865,096
819,008 1023) within 90 days of the end of the first calendar year in which they have total
revenue of $5,000 or more (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4220.pdf, p. 11).
„„ On April 22, 2010, the New York Times reported that as many as 400,000 registered
nonprofit organizations (which includes membership associations, not just
charities) were threatened with loss of their tax exempt status because they did
not know about or did not understand the IRS requirements implemented in
2006. Those rules require organizations to file an informational return with the
IRS annually or, after three years, have their nonprofit status revoked.

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

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GIVING INSTITUTE: LEADING CONSULTANTS TO NON-PROFITS

Member firms
Giving Institute, the parent organization of Giving USA Foundation™, consists of
member firms that have embraced and embodied the core values of ethics, excellence,
and leadership in advancing philanthropy. Serving clients of every size and purpose,
from local institutions to international organizations, Giving Institute member firms
embrace the highest ethical standards and maintain a strict code of fair practices. If
you are looking for counsel or resources, visit https://givinginstitute.org/member_
firms/index.cfm for specific search capabilities.

A.L. Brourman Associates, Inc.

Advantage Consulting
Alexander Haas
The Alford Group
American City Bureau, Inc.
Arnoult & Associates Inc.
CCS Fund Raising
Campbell & Company
Carlton & Company
The Collins Group, Inc.
Compton Fundraising Consultants Ltd.
The Covenant Group
Cramer & Associates, Inc.
The Curtis Group
Danforth Development
Durkin Associates
EHL Consulting Group, Inc.
eTapestry
Fund Inc®
Global Advancement, LLC
Grenzebach Glier and Associates
The Hodge Group
IDC Giving USA Foundation™ is a public service initiative of the Giving Institute: Leading
Consultants to Non-Profits. It is supported through the generosity of member firms, other
Jeffrey Byrne & Associates, Inc. foundations, corporations, and the general public. Its goals are to advance the cause of
Marts & Lundy, Inc. philanthropy through research, education, and public understanding.
Miller Group Worldwide, LLC Giving USA is reasearched and written by
The Oram Group, Inc.
Raybin Associates, Inc.
Ruotolo Associates Inc.
Smith Beers Yunker & Company, Inc.
StaleyRobeson®
Woodburn, Kyle & Company

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Giving USA Foundation™ GIVING USA 2010 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 28