Most Americans Intend to Make Holiday Donations This Year
November 20, 2009

by Holly Hall
Chronicle of Philanthropy

Many charities are concerned that donations will suffer this month and next with the weak economy taking its toll on the normally busy giving season. But recent surveys suggest that year-end contributions, as well as donations next year, may not drop as much as some fund raisers fear.

In the latest such research, the American Red Cross commissioned a poll of more than 1,000 adults this month.

Despite the fact that nearly one in four Americans said their pay had decreased because of the economy, nearly 80 percent said that their holiday donations to charity would stay the same (62 percent) or increase (17 percent) this year.

While 20 percent of Americans said their holiday contributions would decline, the people polled were more likely to trim costs by economizing on holiday travel (44 percent), decorations (40 percent), and parties (31 percent).

Sixty-seven percent of respondents agreed with the statement that “because of the economy, it’s more important this year to give something to charity.”

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Copyright © 2009 The Chronicle of Philanthropy

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