Lodestar Center offers look at Ariz. giving, volunteering

November 23, 2010

The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation has released the 2010 Arizona Giving and Volunteering Report – a summary of data from a web-based survey of nearly 700 Arizona resident households conducted in the summer of 2009. The report offers detailed results of the charitable behavior of Arizona residents and also discloses specific charitable behaviors for Arizona’s Hispanic population.<separator></separator>“An analysis of community quality of life indicators is incomplete without studying philanthropy – the giving of time, money and know-how to causes people care about,” said Robert F. Ashcraft, executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center and professor of nonprofit studies in ASU's School of Community Resources and Development. "This timely study of household level philanthropy can assist nonprofits to refine their development efforts, raise money more efficiently, and use volunteers more effectively, thereby enabling a vibrant social sector that improves the quality of life in communities," he added.<separator></separator>More than three out of four Arizona households made a contribution to a charitable organization in 2008. This is substantially higher than the 2006 figure stated in the previous Arizona Giving and Volunteering report, in which only 58.2 percent of Arizona households made a charitable contribution. On a national level, Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy Panel Study reports that 70.2 percent of U.S. households gave to charitable organizations in 2005. By that standard, Arizona is above average.<separator></separator>Another difference is an increase in the number of households that moved from no contribution to a small charitable contribution. This increase in donors who made small gifts drives down the average annual household contribution.<separator></separator>Whereas the previous report shows that donors contributed an average of just over $2,000 in 2006, this year’s report shows the average household contribution has been reduced to $1,609. It is important to note that the declines in average do not represent a decline in giving, but an increase in the number of households making a small contribution.<separator></separator>This is the third Arizona Giving and Volunteering Report the ASU Lodestar Center has produced and distributed. Previous reports were released in 2003 and 2008.<separator></separator>The publication is free of charge and may be downloaded in PDF form at <a href="http://lodestar.asu.edu/pdf/2010-giving-and-volunteering-report">http:/…; or by calling the center at 602-496-0500.<separator></separator>SOURCES:<separator></separator>Dr. Robert F. Ashcraft, <a href="mailto:ashcraft@asu.edu">ashcraft@asu.edu</a> 602-496-0500 Dr. Carlton F. Yoshioka, carlton.yoshioka@asu.edu 602-496-0153<separator></separator>MEDIA CONTACTS: Jill Watts, <a href="mailto:jill.watts@asu.edu">jill.watts@asu.edu</a> 602-496-0189<separator></separator>Dana Berchman, <a href="mailto:dana.berchman@asu.edu">dana.berchman@asu.edu</a> College of Public Programs 602.496.0406 Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation

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