How much did Americans give to charity in the latest year of record?

The Giving USA Foundation, publishers of "Giving USA," released their estimates of total charitable contributions in the U.S. for the year 2006. Total giving is estimated at $295.02 billion for the year 2006, an increase of 4.2 percent over revised 2005 figures. The Giving Foundation has estimated that 12.4% of this figure, or $36.5 billion, was given by independent and community foundations. (Corporate foundation support is included in the overall figure for corporate giving — 4.3%, or $12.72 billion.) This is well below the largest contributors to charity (individuals), who gave an estimated 75.6%, or $222.89 billion.

For the Giving USA Foundation's press release giving an overview of 2006 contributions by source of contributions and by type of recipient organization, click here.

For detailed statistical information on foundation giving, visit FC Stats and the Research Studies area of the Center's Web site. See also our FAQ "Where can I find statistical data on U.S. charities?"

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