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Americans contribute significant amounts of time, money, and goods (e.g., food and clothing) to formal charitable organizations that are involved in such things as the arts, education, the environment, health and human services, international affairs, politics, recreation, religion, and youth services. In 1993, Americans contributed $102 billion in individual gifts and bequests and 15 billion hours of volunteer service. Corporations contributed an additional $6.1 billion.
In addition to these formal contributions, there is a significant amount of informal giving which is largely unmeasured. Informal giving occurs on an ad hoc basis and includes giving money and goods directly to friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members not in one’s household. Informal contributions of time are also significant and include a broad range of activities such as caring for children, the elderly, and the homebound and providing transportation services, preparing meals, and making home repairs for those in need.
Realizing a path of sustainable development will depend to some extent on the willingness of individuals to become involved in their communities. Contributing money and time to charities is one indicator of this community involvement. The willingness to contribute time and/or money reflects how people perceive their own situation in relation to the needs of others, as well as their faith in the ability of the Nation’s social, economic, and political institutions to address societal needs. Factors that seem to affect contribution patterns include income, tax policies, education, voting in presidential elections, the length of time one has lived in a community, and whether or not one has had a positive experience during youth with charitable giving and volunteering. The single best predictor of charitable contributions of money and time is membership in religious, civic, and other voluntary organizations.
Reference:
Independent Sector, Giving and Volunteering in the United States; Washington, D.C., 1996.
Link(s) to be added, when feasible, to data at level of detail suitable for use at the community level.
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http://www.sdi.gov/indicators/lc_contr.htm Last Modified: May 13, 2002 |