Despite the subprime mortgage crisis and oil price hikes, Americans recorded a charity donation of 306.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2007, accounting for 2.1 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, according to a survey released on Monday.
The survey conducted by the charity consultant Giving USA Foundation and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University showed that the overall total is up just one percent from the previous year when adjusted for inflation.
Over half the 229 billion dollars given by individuals in 2007 came from households earning in the top 10 percent of U.S. incomes, according to the survey based on sources including charities, tax data and economic indicators.
The second biggest source of donations last year was foundation grants, at 38.5 billion dollars, and other sources included bequests of 23 billion dollars as well as corporations with 15.7 billion dollars, said the annual report.
It was the first time the total amount donated exceeded 300 billion dollars, it added
"A strong start to the economy in 2007 helped lift donations despite worries at year's end from gasoline prices or the housing and mortgage crises," said George Ruotolo, chair of Giving USA.
However, the uncertain economy in 2008 unsettled charities for its impact on donations they would receive, said Del Martin, head of a Giving USA-attached foundation.
Among recipients, religious organizations took away an estimated 102.3 billion dollars, or 33.4 percent of the total, an inflation-adjusted 2 percent higher than the 2006 levels.
Educational organizations got 43.3 billion dollars, up 3 percent from 2006, and human services charities had 29.64 billion dollars, 3 percent up.
Thanks to the increasing awareness of global issues by people born after 1981, donations to international organizations providing relief, aid and exchange, among other programs, rose to 13.22 billion dollars.
Source:Xinhua
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