Americans Expect to Give Less in 2013

Religion Today | Updated: Jan 23, 2013

Americans Expect to Give Less in 2013

In an ominous sign for charities, Americans say they will pull back on their giving in the coming year, according to the 2013 Dunham+Company/Wilson Perkins Allen State of Philanthropy Study. Donors indicated that their giving in 2013 will revert to recession-like levels, with 27 percent of adults -- the same percentage as 2009 and 2010 and more than double the percentage in 2012 -- saying they would be giving less in the coming year. "Although Americans feel their personal economic situation is more stable, the findings from this year's study mirror the findings during the depths of the recession, which is not good," said Rick Dunham, president and CEO of Dunham+Company. "Our research has shown that charitable giving is at risk when there is uncertainty in the economy as people conserve out of fear for what the future might hold. With the uncertainty over the implications of what might be done during the debt ceiling negotiations regarding tax rates or deductions and the continued ambiguity around the effects of Obamacare, there is plenty for Americans to worry about, so we should not be surprised if there is a downturn in charitable support."



Americans Expect to Give Less in 2013