Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) announced in its Annual State of Giving Report on Nov. 17 that cash charitable giving to ECFA-accredited organizations increased 6.9 percent between 2012 and 2013. It reflects total cash donations of $11.6 billion in 2013, an increase from the previous year’s $10.9 billion.
ECFA reported a 6.4 percent increase in giving to its members for 2012, compared with a 1.7 percent increase the previous year.
Giving to evangelical churches and ministries outpaced giving to secular charities in 2013. The Giving USA report for the same time period reflected a giving increase of 4.4 percent for 2013, compared with 2012.
“The second consecutive year of increases among ECFA-accredited organizations and a boost to secular charities last year sends a strong signal that charitable giving is rebounding,” said Dan Busby, ECFA president.
Total revenue also increased 8.2 percent to $23.1 billion for 2013.
The most significant cash giving increases occurred in the following categories:
Camps and conferences, 18.8 percent; children’s homes, 13.9 percent; student/youth, 12.3 percent; orphan care, 12 percent; medical, 10.7 percent; relief and development, 10.2 percent, child sponsorship, 10.0 percent; and leadership training, 10.0 percent.
(In Christ Communications)
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