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Now Is The Time To Give Charitably

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By DEREK MAUL | The Brandon News

Published: February 11, 2009

There's an interesting phenomenon affecting local charities that begs thoughtful comment. The observation takes the form of two seemingly irreconcilable equations, but the solution involves anything but standard math.

First: The economics of recession equals less income for discretionary giving. Then, families plus lost jobs equals increased reliance on charity.

When recession hits, need naturally increases. But at the same time, most people have less spare cash to give.

Does this sound like a dilemma you recognize? "I want to help," people say, "but I'm all out of leftovers." Did I really say that? Did I actually suggest that some of us donate to charity based on our surplus?

Well, yes. It turns out that, while generous, many Americans see charitable giving as a luxury. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University has analyzed trends over 40 years, and findings reveal a consistent pattern of reduced giving during times of recession.

But if our motivation for giving is truly selfless, doesn't it follow that we would place the needs of others as a priority ahead of our own? Anyone can look at what's left over at the end of the week, or month, or year, and apportion a fraction of the spare cash to their favorite charity.

But it takes another kind of commitment to write that check at the beginning of the pay period, before clothes buying, or golf, or dinner out, or vacation plans.

I discovered this week, with interest, that the majority of all U.S. donor dollars come directly from individuals. That's 74.8 percent, or more than $229 billion of $306 billion, according to the Campbell report, Giving USA 2008. Foundations, bequests, and - at the bottom of the list - corporations round out the total.

This means that we can't simply pass the buck to "big donors." My contribution makes more than a huge difference, as does yours.

Charitynavigator.org reports that average household giving is estimated at 2.2 percent of after-tax income. So while $229 billion may sound like a lot of money, I can assure you we all have significant room to grow when it comes to philanthropy.

Besides, and I'll blame Jesus for this one, people who are generous enjoy satisfaction beyond the cost. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." [Mark 10:21]

Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com

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