Posted on October 25, 2005

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Hoosiers More Generous Than Most Americans, Study Finds

People in Indiana are a generous lot, with 79 percent of Hoosier households giving to charity in 2003, compared to 67 percent nationally, according to a survey from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University in Indianapolis.

Indiana Gives 2004 found that households, foundations, and companies in the state donated $4.86 billion in 2003, and were almost twice as likely as the rest of the country to support groups that help with basics such as food and shelter. Fifty percent of their largesse was directed to churches and other religious groups, with 15 percent earmarked for human services, 14 percent for public-society benefit and other causes (including United Ways, which tend to support human service groups), and 7 percent for education.

The telephone survey, which the center conducts every four years, also found that Indiana's average gift per household was lower than the national average — $1,872 compared to $1,937. While the state's wealthier citizens gave more on average than those less well-off, households earning less than $50,000 per year donated more of their income, about 5.6 percent; those earning more than $100,000 gave 3.7 percent. In addition, people who attended weekly religious services gave more per year than those who attended less frequently — $3,078 compared to $632. Interestingly, those who never set foot in a religious establishment gave $140 more annually than infrequent attendees.

"From these findings, nonprofit organizations can identify aspects of giving that are specific to Indiana and evaluate their own giving programs in that context," wrote executive director Eugene Tempel in the report's introduction.

To read or download the complete report (80 pages, PDF), visit: http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/IndGives_2004.pdf.

“Hoosiers Give More than Most Americans.” Indianapolis Star 10/20/05.

Primary Subject: Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Location(s): Indianapolis

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