10 Things to Know About Charitable Giving

1. Americans gave $335.17 billion to charities in 2013, a 4.4 percent increase from 2011. – National Philanthropic Trust
2. Individuals were the largest source of charitable giving in 2013 ($241.32 billion or 72 percent of total giving), the average annual household charitable contribution was $2,974. – National Philanthropic Trust
3. Young, single women (44 and under) without a religious affiliation give two-and-a-half times more money to charity than middle-age and older, single women who are religiously unaffiliated. – Women Give 14; Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University
4. Young, single women without a religious affiliation give twice as much to charity as their unaffiliated male peers. – Women Give 14; Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University
5. In 2013, 98.4 percent of high-net-worth households donated to charity, compared to 95.4 percent in 2011. – 2014 U.S. Trust® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy, in partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
6. The average dollar amount given to charity by wealthy donors rose 28 percent, from $53,519 in 2011 to $68,580 in 2013. – 2014 U.S. Trust® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy, in partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
7. The volunteer rates for both men and women (22.2 percent and 28.4 percent, respectively) declined the year ending in September 2013. However, women volunteered at a higher rate than did men across all age groups, educational levels and other major demographic characteristics. – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
8. Thirty-five- to 44-year-olds are most likely to volunteer (30.6 percent); 20- to 24-year-olds are least likely to volunteer (18.5 percent). – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
9. Volunteers – both men and women – spent a median of 50 hours on volunteer activities during the period from September 2012 to September 2013. – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
10. Nineteen percent of social media users say they would likely donate money to a charity if they saw a friend’s post about a recent donation. Only 3 percent say social media is an effective way for a charity itself to request a donation. – American Red Cross Holiday Poll; Survey date – Oct. 16-19, 2014