Charity donations drop for first time in 12 years

WASHINGTON — Donations to the nation’s largest charities dropped in 2002, a first in 12 years, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported.

Contributions decreased 1.2 percent, compared to an average annual increase of 12 percent in the previous five years, the newspaper said.

The publication’s 12th annual “Philanthropy 400” ranks the nation’s largest nonprofits based on how much money they raise from private sources. Total donations amounted to $46.9 billion, down from $47.5 billion the previous year.

The American National Red Cross ranked number one, forcing the Salvation Army into the second highest spot. The Salvation Army had previously ranked first for the history of the survey.

The other top 10 charities were: 3. Gifts in Kind International; 4. American Cancer Society; 5. Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund; 6. Lutheran Services in America; 7. YMCA of the USA; 8. Nature Conservancy; 9. University of Southern California; 10. Feed the Children. The newspaper attributed the overall decline in giving to uncertainties about the economy and increased competition for money among charities.