OTHER NEWS - Oct. 10, 1996

Fewer People Contributing to Charities, Poll Shows: Americans gave more to charity last year than they did two years earlier, but an increasing number of people gave nothing, according to the Gallup survey. Contributions in 1995 were 16% higher than in 1993--10% higher when adjusted for inflation. In constant dollars, the average contributing household gave $1,017 in 1995, compared with $928 in 1993. That represented 2.2% of household income, a slight increase over the figure two years earlier (2.1%). But only 69% of households reported giving anything last year, compared with 73% in 1993. The survey was conducted for the Independent Sector, a coalition representing 800 nonprofit groups, foundations and corporate giving programs.