State Of Giving: 83% Of U.s. Adults Donated Money ...

State Of Giving: 83% of U.S. adults donated money to one or more non-profit organizations last year. The rate has remained stable for the last 10 years. Barna Research Group found the least likely donors were under the age 25, never attended college, residents of the Northeast, atheists and agnostics, Asians and Hispanics. The average amount donated per person was $1232 indicating, the typical person gave away about 3% of their income. 65% donated some to a church or place of worship. A remarkable 97% of Evangelicals gave, followed by 85% of born again Christians, 80% of political conservatives, 76% of upscale adults and 76% of Protestants. Church giving averaged $895 per donor (up $89 from ’99); Protestants averaged $1304 while evangelical gave $3250 each. Catholics averaged $547 apiece. George Barna says there are 5 significant barriers to more generous giving; (1) Lack the motivation to give away money because the church has failed to provide a compelling vision for how it will make a difference. (2) Don’t see a sufficient return on investment. (3) Failure to realize the church needs our money to be effective. (4) Ignorance about biblical generosity. (5) Selfishness. Barna states, “The reality is that Americans are willing to give more generously than they typically do, but it takes a purposeful and well-executed approach to facilitate that generosity.” (Barna Online 4/25/05)

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