Charity and Americans

US charitable donations top $300 bn in 2007

23 Jun, 2008, 0411 hrs

REUTERS

CHICAGO: Americans donated a record $306 billion to charity in 2007, their generosity encouraged by a strong stock market in the first half of the year, according to a report on philanthropy released on Monday. "A strong start to the economy in 2007 helped lift giving despite worries at year's end from gasoline prices or the housing and mortgage crises," said George Ruotolo of charity consultant Giving USA. This year's uncertain economy may not bode well for charitable giving in 2008. "Charities we surveyed have concerns about 2008 for the economy and the stock market and the impact they will have on giving," said Del Martin, head of a foundation operated by Giving USA. The estimate of philanthropic largess is compiled by Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy from sources including charities, tax data and economic indicators. Total giving exceeded $300 billion for the first time and was nearly 4 percent more than in 2006, or 1 percent more when adjusted for inflation, according to the report. Just over half the $229 billion given by individuals in 2007 came from households earning in the top 10 percent of U.S. incomes. The amount given by individuals rose 3 percent compared to 2006, but edged downward when adjusted for inflation. In most years, some two-thirds of Americans donate to charity. The second-leading source of donations were foundation grants at $38.5 billion. Other sources were $23 billion from bequests and $15.7 billion from corporations, which was down by an inflation-adjusted 1 percent from 2006. The biggest recipients included: - Religious congregations, which received gifts of $102.3 billion, one-third of the total and up an inflation-adjusted 2 percent from 2006. - Educational organizations got $43.3 billion, up 3 percent. - Charities like the United Way that provide services to individuals received $29.6 billion, up 3 percent. - Foundations got $27.7 billion, up 12 percent. - Health organizations received $23.2 billion, up 2 percent. - Arts and culture groups got $13.7 billion, up nearly 5 percent. - Environmental or animal welfare groups received $7 billion, up 8 percent.

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The interesting thing with this list, actually several - we are giving more even when we believe it is harder on us personally. We, as a nation of people, give more than any other nation - we are the most charitable people on earth - and why not, when you have taxtaion rates that exceed 70%, you believe the government should be providing everything - not you.

The other condition of some interest - the states that gave the most, as a whole - were the RED states. By far, the BLUE states were the least giving to charities.

That fact holds for 2007.

Liberals

Selfish

Misers

Greedy

leftist

bastards

$109 MILLION Dollars

In the years since 2000, the Clinton's have made (think Dr. Evil) over $100 million dollars.

$100 MILLION.

That's a 1 with lots of zeros.

And for those wondering about Obama ... much much much much much much less.
And for those wondering about Bush .... way way way way less.
And for those wondering about Cheney - so much less than less than less.

Add Obama and Bush and Cheney up and you get a Clinton. oh wait, some would say, Bush and Cheney hide it ... yeah well, whatever Bush and Cheney hide doesn't equal the millions funneled to Hillary's campaign via foreign sources to Bill (all legitimately of course), THIS year (and that 100 million doesn't count this year) and more than 10 million will be found to be unaccounted for.

It has been the mantra of the left for some time that Bush is super wealthy - not true.
It has been the mantra of the left for some time that Cheney is super wealthy - not true.

Another measure - as I pointed out in an earlier post - who donates how much and to whom/what. I stated that Blue states were not as free with their donations (but generally did approve of higher taxes), while Red states donated more. Apparently, in 2006, a majority of all donations the Clintons made was to their foundation. That's one way to keep it in the family.


I think 100 million in 6 years qualifies as super wealthy.

Given that when Bill became president, they owned no home, no wealth, no nothing as Governor but that which Hillary had made prior to her time in office. Suddenly, 100 million dollars richer AFTER he is president. 5600% Clintons' wealth skyrockets by 5,600 percent. Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 7:44 PM PT
By Andrea Mitchell and the NBC News Investigative Unit

Poverty? What the heck do they know about poverty. Only 14500 people in the bracket they are in!
In what proved to be an awkward juxtaposition, the disclosure of the records — which revealed the Clintons to be in the top one-hundredth of 1 percent, or roughly 14,500, of all taxpayers — came on the day that Mrs. Clinton called for the creation of a cabinet-level post to tackle poverty. NY Times.

Speaking to a statewide convention of North Dakota Democrats in Grand Forks on Friday, Mrs. Clinton criticized the Bush administration’s tax cuts, which she said favored the rich, then referred to the tax data she and her husband released earlier in the day.

“Now don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against rich people,” she said. “

As a matter of fact, my husband, much to my surprise and his, has made a lot of money since he left the White House, by doing what he loves doing most — talking to people. But we didn’t ask for George Bush’s tax cuts. We didn’t want them, and we didn’t need them.”

[NOTE: If you didn't want them, give it back. Ms. Clinton, the tax breaks didn't make you rich and didn't let you keep it all. Bill's suggestion in his book opn GIVING that peopel donate 5% ... a little less than most people already do - the average middle class person donates more than 5% Bill. It is only your wealthy friends who seem to have a hard time parting with money.]


No wonder people want to be president ... $100 million in six years. You can't make that unless you play in the NBA.

Donations

I will build on this post as I find more information, but here is the question of the day:
Who gives more in donations? Blue or Red states. Who gives more to the poor, needy, those who eek out a living and may need a little assistance - which states give more to help? Blue or Red?

The answer is RED.



The leading character at the moment among the Blue, is Barack Obama and he may not want everyone to know exactly how much they gave in donations/charity / those in need. The answer is 1% of his income. "The Obamas' donations to all recipients totaled $2,350 in 2000, $1,470 in 2001, $1,050 in 2002, $3,400 in 2003, and $2,500 in 2004. They also paid federal taxes totaling $311,044 during the same period on their $1.2 million of income."