Religious Causes Lead in Donations
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NEW YORK — Giving to religious causes reached $81.78 billion in 1999, according to an annual estimate from the American Assn. of Fund-Raising Counsel.
Religion was by far the largest category in U.S. philanthropy. Americans gave $190 billion to charities in 1999--almost $12 billion more than in 1998, with 43% of the money going to religious institutions. The religion category also saw the largest numerical increase in gifts--$4.29 billion more than in 1998.
Education, including some religious-backed institutions, was the No. 2 beneficiary, with $27.46 billion, up $2.14 billion over 1998.
Overall, charity represented 1.8% of Americans’ personal incomes and 2.1% of the gross domestic product.
Gifts to international affairs charities and the environment also rose--by 23.6% and 11%, respectively.
Americans donated $11 billion to the arts and $17.95 billion to health-care organizations.
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