There is a rising tide of giving in this country.  Even in a weak economy ” giving in 2011 increased 7.5% from 2010 for a total of $346 billion.  According to "Giving USA" that will rise to $360 billion in 2012.  Individuals are the single largest source of giving (75%) and the largest recipient is broadly categorized as religion (36%). The largest non-religious channel for individual giving is the United Way which allows individuals to deduct contributions directly from their pay. 

Another more publicized increase is that of young people giving small amounts through mobile phones to a wide variety of causes.  While it has been steadily growing for a few years” the 2010 earthquake in Haiti was a turning point.  Some think almost 10% of contributions to the $5.2 billion that was raised came through channels like Twitter and mobile phone contributions.  While disasters are now the single biggest stimulus for this giving there is no doubt it is increasing significantly from year to year.  Online giving jumped 34% between 2009 and 2010.  The average online gift is now $140 – actually higher than the average gift given in traditional ways. So ” a swelling number of online gifts is having a marked impact on overall giving in the country.

But” ” is this philanthropy?  Some would argue that any gift is philanthropy.  No matter the size.  Others would say it is only philanthropy when it reaches a certain size of gift or it is somehow formalized and structured in a particular way.  Still others have said philanthropy includes not only money but volunteer time and in-kind giving.  I've even heard fund raisers include their work under the broadest definition.

I would be interested to hear what you think.  Responding on a blog is sometimes inconvenient and clumsy so you can email me directly at fredsmith@thegathering.com or call me at (903)509-9911.  I'll compile the results and publish them in a future blog.