BY JOE RODRIGUEZ

The Wichita Eagle

Charitable giving in the U.S. in 2007 was estimated to top $300 billion for the first time, according to a new philanthropic foundation report.

The $306.39 billion in total giving was an estimated 4 percent increase over 2006, according to Giving USA, the yearbook on philanthropy released this week by Giving USA Foundation.

Local nonprofit leaders said that was good news. But some expressed concern over how economic conditions -- including the rising cost of fuel and food -- will affect charitable donations and the number of people needing help in coming months.

In recent years, Kansans' gifts to charity have grown at a slow but steady rate.

Statewide, giving has grown from $1.19 billion in 2002 to $1.51 billion in 2005, the most recent year state totals were available in the report.

Increasing needs

Janet Valente Pape, executive director of Catholic Charities of Wichita, said that while the national giving total was impressive, she considered it moderate when compared to the rise in need, particularly for services such as food assistance.

"I think the issue is going to continue to be (that) it's not anywhere keeping pace with the demand that we're all experiencing," she said.

She cited Catholic Charities' experiences last year as an example:

While the organization had a 10 percent increase in giving, it had a more than 30 percent increase in people seeking assistance from its food pantry. It served nearly 13,500 people last year.

Local nonprofits also are seeing that need in other ways.

Victory in the Valley, a cancer support organization, has at least tripled the number of services it has provided since 2003, according to executive director Diana Thomi.

The group had about 120,000 "support contacts," or times it helped someone, in 2007, she said.

At the same time, donations have remained steady. But Thomi said that hasn't caused the nonprofit to cut services.

"We feel like as long as we're keeping the needs of the people first, it usually all comes out in the end," she said.

Report highlights

Among the highlights of the national report:

• Individual giving reached $229.03 billion, an increase of 2.7 percent (but a drop of 0.1 percent adjusted for inflation). Individual giving represents nearly three-quarters of total giving.

Wichitan Bill Pickert contributes to several local groups, including the Midway-Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Pickert said he looks for reputable and responsible organizations when determining where to donate.

"I have to have a passion for the mission of the organization," he said.

Pickert said he considers nonprofits that the United Way of the Plains funds as examples of good local organizations to support.

• Giving in the religion sector made up the biggest piece of overall giving -- more than 33 percent.

Contributions to religious organizations were $102.32 billion in 2007, the first year that it exceeded $100 billion. The total was an increase of 4.7 percent (or 1.8 percent adjusted for inflation) from 2006.

Wichitan Pam Miller donates to several faith-based organizations, including Asbury United Methodist Church, which she attends.

"As a believer, it's an act of worship to give back to the Lord what is already his," Miller said.

• Corporate giving in 2007 was an estimated $15.69 billion, an increase of 1.9 percent (or a drop of 0.9 percent adjusted for inflation). It was 5.1 percent of total giving.

Economic impact

Bev Morlan, executive director of the Midway-Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross, said she wasn't surprised at the national numbers.

Locally, she said, she thinks groups including the Red Cross have benefited from a strong economy.

She cited the United Way of the Plains' fundraising campaign last year as an example: It raised a record $16.35 million.

"That's really a good reflection, I think, of the state of the community, if you will," she said.

That said, she also wonders what impact the rapidly increasing cost of food and fuel might have.

"We have continued to see strong contributions to us, even through some tough economic times in the past," she said, "So we're cautiously optimistic."

Part of the reason, she said, is what she sees as a strong spirit of giving in Kansans.

"They really step up," Morlan said. "They really help their neighbors out."

Reach Joe Rodriguez at 316-268-6644 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

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