A report released June 27 by Independent Sector and the National Council of Churches details the extraordinary philanthropy of America’s givers to religion. “Faith and Philanthropy: The Connection Between Charitable Behavior and Giving to Religion” reveals that households that give to religion are the bedrock of giving to the nation’s nonprofit organizations. Households that give to both religious and secular causes give more money and volunteer more than households that give to only one type of organization.
Nearly 70 percent of households give to religious congregations. Households that give to both religious congregations and secular organizations give more than three times ($2,247) more than do households that give to only secular organizations ($623).
“Faith and Philanthropy” explores the links between faith and charitable giving and illustrates how the values and beliefs of religious-giving households influence their decisions to make donations and volunteer to all types of nonprofit organizations.
Fifty-two percent of all households give to both religious and secular organizations, but those households account for 81 percent of all donations. Households that give to both types of institutions give more to religion ($1,391) compared to households that only give to religion ($1,154), and 55 percent of dual-giving households give to at least two other kinds of organizations.
“The extraordinary generosity of religious givers knows very few boundaries,” said Sara E. Meléndez, president and CEO of Independent Sector. “Donors to religion are more generous than those who give only to secular organizations.
This research clearly demonstrates that their giving to religion does not detract from giving to secular causes but inspires them to give to all causes,” Meléndez added.
Eileen W. Lindner, NCC deputy general secretary for research and planning, commented that “the findings corroborate and extend the research results we’ve observed over several decades. They are remarkable not only in their strength but also in their consistency across income, region and field of giving. This fine study cries out for more of the same. The well-being of our society and our world requires that we understand and foster generosity.”
Robert W. Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, board member of Independent Sector and author of the foreword of the report, said he was not surprised that people who give both to religious congregations and secular organizations give more than people who give only to secular organizations, because “in our traditions we learn the concept of stewardship, philanthropy and giving. But the gap was greater than I had anticipated.
“In our houses of worship, we hear over and over that it is ‘more blessed to give than to receive,’” he said. “We also hear stories about how giving makes a difference.
Incentive to give more
“As the role of the religious community is being debated in the public policy arena through faith-based initiatives, Faith and Philanthropy offers new incentive for religious leaders to expand their congregants’ capacity for even more generosity and civic involvement,” Edgar added.
The top five secular recipients of giving by religion donors are: health, human services, youth development, education and arts and culture. Fifty-three percent of givers to religion also donate an average yearly contribution of $249 to health organizations such as hospitals.
Forty-seven percent donate an average of $336 to human service organizations. For every cause, the vast majority of support for secular organizations is given by households that also give to religion. For instance, 78 percent of all contributions to education come from givers to religion, and 74 percent of individual support to arts and culture comes from households that give to religion.
Among all contributing households, the highest average annual contribution comes from households in the West, about 45 percent greater than the average in the Northeast ($1,889 to $1,298). Givers in the West also donate the highest contribution ($929) to secular organizations. More than 92 percent of Midwest households give to religious congregations, followed by 88 percent of Southern households, 87 percent of Northeast households and 79 percent of households in the West.
People who volunteer with both religious and secular organizations also give more time to organizations than those who volunteer with either kind alone. Approximately one in 10 Americans are dual volunteers, and their time makes up 30 percent of all volunteering hours.
Over 54 percent of all volunteers serve only at secular organizations, 25 percent volunteer at religious congregations only and 20 percent volunteer at both.
“Faith and Philanthropy” shows the striking difference in volunteering rates between those who only volunteer at religious congregations versus those who volunteer at both religious and secular institutions.
Volunteers who serve at religious congregations give an average of 10 hours per month. Volunteers who give time to both give an average of 23 hours a month. (IS)
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