In a recent study by The Nonprofit Research Collaboration, 2,350 public charities and 163 private foundations in the U.S. reported somewhat encouraging results. The number of non-profits reporting decreased contributions dropped 14 percent, from 51 percent in October 2009 to 37 percent in October 2010 and the percentage who said contributions had increased grew 13 percent, from 23 percent in October 2009 to 36 percent in October 2010.
However, the health sector’s news was less positive, with 41 percent reporting decreases, 26 indicating that giving remained the same and 37 percent reporting an increase in gifts received. The health sector also was the most pessimistic about future giving, with only 27 percent anticipating that contributions from October to December 2010 will increase, compared with the same period in 2009.
The Nonprofit Research Collaboration is a collaborative research effort from Guidestar, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, AFP, Blackbaud and the Foundation Center.