Sacramento Head Start Alumni Association

Independent Sector Releases 2001 Giving and Volunteering Report

Nov 08, 2001

According to a new survey released by Independent Sector
( http://www.independentsector.org/ ), nearly nine in ten
(89 percent) American families donated to charity last
year, with the average contribution totaling $1,620,
or 3.2 percent of household income, while nearly half
(44 percent) of the adults surveyed volunteered some of
their time, a figure equivalent to a volunteer workforce
of 83.9 million people, or 9 million full-time employees.

The survey, "Giving and Volunteering in the United States
2001," shows that the 42 percent of Americans who both
gave and volunteered in 2000 gave substantially more than
non-volunteers, making contributions of $2,295 per
household compared to $1,009 by households that didn't
volunteer.

"While attention in recent weeks has focused on the
charitable response since the terrorist attacks of
September 11, this study demonstrates that Americans are
generous year-round even in more ordinary times," said
Sara E. Melendez, president and CEO of Independent
Sector.

The survey also found that people are much more likely
to give or volunteer when asked; that households with
family members who attend religious services on a regular
basis give more than twice as much ($2,151 versus $964)
as those who do not attend services regularly; that adults
who gave or volunteered when younger are more likely to
maintain their involvement with charity into adulthood;
and that more women (46 percent) volunteered than men
(42 percent).

To download a copy of the survey's key findings (4 pages,
PDF), visit:
http://www.independentsector.org/media/GV01PR.html.

"Independent Sector Survey Measures Everyday Generosity of
Americans; 89 Percent Gave Last Year, 44 Percent
Volunteered." Independent Sector Press Release 11/04/01.
http://www.independentsector.org/media/GV01PR.html

http://www.fdncenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=500033