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A record $295 billion for charities

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From Times Wire Reports

Americans gave a record $295 billion to charitable causes last year, exceeding the 2005 total that had been boosted by a surge in aid to victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and the Asian tsunami, said a report released today.

According to the Giving USA Foundation at Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy, contributions for 2006 increased 1%, from about $283 billion in 2005. Excluding donations for disaster relief, the total rose about 3%. Those percentages were adjusted for inflation. Individuals gave nearly 76% of the total. With bequests, that rose to about 83%.

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