American Donors give about the same over the long term. The IRS reports that those who itemize deductions on their tax returns have claimed since 1975 that between 1.6% and 2.16% of their income went to charitable concerns. Gallup polls finds that charitable donations run between 1.5% and 2% and the American Association of Fundraising Counsel (AAFRC) says giving has ranged between 1.7% and 1.95% of personal income over the last 20 years. According to Giving USA, "Giving has represented about 2% of gross domestic product for four decades." 31% of American households give no money to charity. (Christianity Today 5/19/97)
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