Charitable Giving

1. Charitable Giving Based on Sharing the Wealth Minnesota Public Radio

2. Facts and Figures • People who attend religious services gave 2.3% of their income, compared with 1.3% for those who do not. • 70.1% of American households contribute to charity each year • The average American household contributes $1,075 each year. • College graduates (who also have the highest incomes) are most likely to contribute to charity - 81% contribute, but only a reported average 2% of their household income, below the national average of 2.1%. • Lower-income donors have become increasingly generous. In 1995, Americans with annual incomes below $10,000 donated 4.3% of their household incomes. Conversely, those in the $75,000 to $99,000 bracket gave only 1.8% of their household • When asked to make a donation by a foundation or charitable organization, 81% of households donated money. • This year (2000), Americans are expected to spend a record $376 billion on dining out, says the National Restaurant Association. If the average American family would spend half their dining-out budget on philanthropy, the nation's giving totals would double. • Donors with at least one family member who volunteers give twice as much of their income than do those who don't volunteer. 47% of donors contributed and had a volunteer. These households gave an average of 2.5% of their household income, compared with 1.2% among the 23% of households that contributed but did not volunteer. From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth

3. S T E P 1: T O  G I V E  O R  N OT TO G I V E ? • THE REASONS PEOPLE GIVE • Altruism • Self-Interest • Giving Back • Memorials • Family Tradition From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth

4. Respondents with very high rates of reporting household contributions were those who reported the following experiences in their youth: From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth

5. From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth

6. Why People Don’t Give • Financial • Most of the reasons were financial: 69% said they could not afford to give; 47% said they were making less money this year than last; 46% said they would rather spend their money in other ways; 39% were unsure about having a job next year. (Independent Sector survey) • Philosophical From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth

7. S T E P   2 :   H O W  M U C H  T O   G I V E ? • STANDARDS FOR GIVING: WEALTH VS. INCOME • Based on wealth rather than income, in 1999 total giving by individuals in the United States was more than $143 billion. Yet Newtithing estimates the national capacity for additional giving was $244 billion a year. From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth

8. Setting Your Own Standard • Newtithing table of Affordable Donations • Build a budget From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth

9. S T E P  3:  H O W  S H O U L D   Y O U  G I V E ? • THE BENEFITS OF PLANNED GIVING • Personal Benefits • Tax Benefits • TYPES OF GIFTS • Cash • Appreciated stocks • Other assets • Pro-bono services • Leveraged giving (matching, wills, insurance, charitable remainder trusts, etc.) • VOLUNTEER From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth

10. STEP 4: WHERE  SHOULD YOU GIVE? • CLOSE TO YOUR HEART • CLOSE TO YOUR HOME • TO THE GREATEST NEED • HOW TO EVALUATE YOUR CHOICE • Financial reports • Program results • Site visits From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth

11. WISE GIVING • Be an informed giver • Keep the right records • Be aware of how much is really tax deductible • Ask about matching gifts • Remember, your gift can be confidential • Be a proactive giver • Volunteer From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth

12. STEP 5: WHEN SHOULD YOU GIVE? • ANNUAL GIVING • RESPONDING TO A CRISIS • LEAVING A LEGACY From: Minnesota Public Radio Sharing the Wealth