Each month, our friends at the Atlas of Giving provide an estimate of charitable giving by sector, source and state in the U.S. This month, they released the annual results for 2014 and an initial forecast for 2015.
Here are some of the most important points from the 16-page report that you need to know:
Valuable Insights from 2014:
- 1.5 million organizations. Nationally, the number of nonprofits has grown 50 percent in the last 12 years. Organizations are trying to find a way to break through the funnel. We’ve been working for organizations to creatively think through the funnel.
- 2 percent GDP in giving. At Pursuant, we’re not satisfied with that. We think we can do better.
- Total Charitable Giving in 2014 was a record $456.73 Billion – up 9.3 percent over 2013. At the beginning of the year, the Atlas of Giving anticipated a decline in the fourth quarter. Pursuant was intentional about focusing and driving toward year end in 2015.
Important Trends for 2015:
- 3.2 percent expected decline in 2015. That’s down to $442.08 billion from $456.73 billion.
- There continue to be significant changes in the way money is being donated by sector. For example — faith sector is decreasing. This year, it will become increasingly important for organizations to evaluate their growth based on how similar organizations compare and figure out a way to “own” their sector and market.
- Substantial increase in giving to donor-advised fund accounts and grants from those accounts. In 2014, these funds accounted for $29.44 billion of all charitable giving – 6.4 percent of the 2014 total.
While 2015 initial forecasts look bleak, it doesn’t mean we need to brace for losses. The forecast can change throughout the year and we can (and will) certainly change our methods to constantly improve performance.
What surprises you most about the Atlas of Giving report?