A number of national articles and news stories have crossed my desk in the last month regarding the recent release of Giving USA 2023, the longest-running and most comprehensive report on philanthropy in America. The big picture is that even amid economic uncertainty, Americans gave over $499 billion to charity last year! While this represents a 3. 4% decrease in current dollars, it comes on the heels of two-record breaking years due in part to our country’s outpouring of support for the pandemic and issues of racial and social injustice.
My hope is that readers will read past the headlines to better understand the complexity that shaped charitable giving in our country last year and that we can inspire dialogue and action in our community. To put that amount in perspective, it is larger than Ireland’s annual budget and larger than Coca Cola’s annual revenue. Now, what makes this year more complex than other years is three-fold: These dollar amounts and trends are representative of a bigger truth: Giving in our country is a fundamental principle that has sustained nonprofits and transformed lives.
Through donations of time, talent and dollars, you empower organizations to provide assistance to vulnerable populations, promote education, improve health care and offer support during crises. Because of your generosity, our client Edmarc Hospice for Children will be able to double its capacity by expanding services for children with life-threatening illnesses to Williamsburg and the surrounding counties with a $2 million campaign. Nonprofits and foundations can address systemic injustices and work toward creating a more equitable society because of your donations.
Our partnership with REACH Riverside in Delaware and its successful $100 million campaign will transform one of Delaware’s most impoverished communities that has been negatively impacted by systemic racism. REACH Riverside is changing lives by adding high-quality mixed-income housing, building the Kingswood Community Center and establishing an Early Learning Academy. From scientific breakthroughs to technological advancements, contributions have supported universities and research institutions.
In working with Old Dominion University, we are witness to the impact of giving as its $500 million campaign will modernize the institution with innovative laboratories, research endeavors and resources. The culture of giving in America inspires generosity and civic engagement. Individuals witnessing your acts of kindness are motivated to contribute themselves, creating a ripple effect that expands the positive impact.
In America, a nation often admired for its entrepreneurial spirit and economic prowess, giving back to the community is a fundamental principle that has shaped our social fabric. By reading past the headline, you see the role that giving has played in fostering progress, addressing pressing societal needs and shaping a more compassionate and inclusive nation. Sign up for email newsletters.
From: dailypress
URL: https://www.dailypress.com/2023/08/05/opinion-dont-just-read-the-headline-about-charitable-giving/