Newswise — Most Americans who gave money to help victims of the Katrina and Rita hurricanes also contributed to all of their normal charities as well, according to a nationwide survey released today by The Conference Board. (Fears were expressed that giving to help victims of the Louisiana and Mississippi disasters would reduce giving to other charities).
Nine out ten Americans who gave funds to hurricane relief efforts also gave to their customary charities.
The survey covers 5,000 households, the same sample used in The Conference Board's monthly Consumer Confidence Survey. As of this February, contributions to hurricane relief amounted to an estimated $3.6 billion, according to the Center of Philanthropy.
"It would appear that Americans once again came to bat for people suddenly in need while continuing to support the worthy causes they have always supported," says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center.
AMERICAN GIVING: HOW MUCH?More than three-fourths of the families surveyed made charitable contributions last year, with 63% of this group earmarking funds for hurricane relief efforts. More than one-third of the surveyed households gave more than $100 to charitable causes, 36% gave between $26 and $99 and just under one-third contributed under $25. A relatively small number (13%) of those making donations to hurricane relief indicated they worked for companies that matched their giving. But over 70 percent of those working for companies with matching programs said they took advantage of their company's program.
"Employer matching programs are more prevalent in large organizations," says Franco. "Many of the families in this survey are either self employed, work for smaller companies or are not in the labor force."
The 2005 hurricanes triggered some new developments in corporate giving. Preliminary responses to an upcoming study from The Conference Board on overall corporate contributions indicate that one quarter of companies say their giving to hurricane relief and natural disasters will be more important for the upcoming year.
"While there is no single recipe for giving, responding to natural disasters is taking a higher priority," says Franco.
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