Red Cross Says Americans Still in a Giving Mood
Despite the economic downturn, 90% of Americans still plan to make monetary donations to nonprofits this holiday season, according to a new survey by the American Red Cross.
Half of those making donations plan to donate at least $50 to charity this holiday season, with 25% intending to give more than $100.
The survey also found that nearly 40% are talking with others about donating to charity instead of buying them a gift. And 80% said that if asked, they would be happy to make a donation to charity instead of buying a gift for someone.
Ninety percent of the women surveyed indicated that they are involved in decisions about which charities to support, compared to 81 percent of men. More than one in five (22%) said that they involved children in determining charitable donations.
Popular charities for holiday giving this year include those that help the poor (83%); help service members (58%); help people with a specific disease (55%); and that assist disaster victims (51%).
In addition, people are supporting charities during the holiday season with more than money. The survey found 84% planned to donate used clothing or household items; 75% would contribute food to a food bank; 39% planned to volunteer for a charity; and 22% said they would donate blood during the holiday season.
The telephone survey of 1,001 U.S. adults was conducted in early November by Caravan Opinion Research Corp.
The Red Cross is looking to boost its own holiday fundraising efforts with “Gifts That Save the Day,” an online catalog (http://www.redcross.org/gifts) that enables people to make a donation towards items like providing food and shelter for a disaster victim for a day; a military comfort kit with a robe, phone card and other supplies for a wounded warrior; or a month of basic necessities for a family in another country who lost everything in a disaster.
Gifts made through the catalog are contributions towards a Red Cross program area, not a donation to a specific project or item. The donations will be used to provide assistance where it is needed most within the program area; remaining money is put to use where it is needed most.
