As the Christmas season approaches many people are in the mindset of giving. And according to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability’s (ECFA) Annual State of Giving Report released Dec. 4, more money was given in 2012 than was given in 2011 and not only that, but giving to evangelical churches and ministries outpaced giving to secular charities.
“As many American families experience economic challenges, church and nonprofit donors continue to demonstrate faithfulness in supporting God’s work,” said Dan Busby, ECFA president.
The report found that charitable giving to ECFA-accredited organizations (leading Christian nonprofits that maintain standards pertaining to financial accountability and fundraising) increased 6.4 percent between 2011 and 2012. It reflects total cash donations of $11 billion in 2012, an increase from $10.3 billion in 2011.
While the report focuses on cash giving, noncash giving also increased 4.8 percent in 2012 to $3.4 billion. Total revenue increased 8.7 percent to $21.4 billion for 2012.
The ECFA report breaks down more than $14 billion of giving ($11.0 cash/$3.4 noncash) to members in segments including churches, rescue missions, missionary-sending ministries, colleges and universities and camps and conferences. The most significant cash giving increases occurred in the following categories: foundations, 25.1 percent; orphan care, 12.4 percent; adoption, 12.2 percent; K–12 schools, 12 percent; short-term missions, 12.1 percent; and higher education, 10 percent.
The report is based on the data of 1,634 ECFA members.
(InChrist Communications)
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