More than half of Americans (55%) gave money to charity in the last year according to new research by the Charities Aid Foundation.
The Charitable Giving In The USA 2017 Report aims to provide fresh data on the key aspects of individual giving in the United States, the share of Americans who give to charity, the amount of donations and causes they support, the age and gender composition of individual donors and how they give to charity.
The research examines the reasons why people give and determines that Americans are most likely to donate money because they care about the cause (58%). Wanting to help those less fortunate (41%) and trust in the organizations to which they donate (39%) are also common motivations for giving. The report found that the median amount donated or sponsored in the last year is $100.
The report found that those aged 55 and over are the most likely age group to have engaged in any form of charitable activity in the last year (70%) and in the last four weeks (50%). Nearly two thirds of Americans (62%) have donated, sponsored someone or volunteered in the last 12 months and 43% have done this in the last month.
Ted Hart, President and CEO of CAF America said:
“I am thrilled to be reminded of the American spirit of generosity. It is especially worth noting that over half (62%) of Americans engaged in charitable activities within the last year, an impressive statistic that we hope will grow.
“The United States of America is a country built on philanthropy and charitable giving continues to play an integral role in our development as a nation. This is evidenced by the fact that 58% of Americans gave not because of any personal benefit but because they cared about the cause. This demonstrates the true altruism of the American people. A trend I am sure is likely to continue.”
