Political donations aren't hindering charity donations
A new poll conducted survey for the American Red Cross shows that most Americans say that their contributions to political causes earlier this year and Hurricane Sandy relief efforts will not reduce their year-end contributions to charity.
A telephone survey of 1,010 adults conducted earlier this month found that 78 percent of those who have already given to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts say it will not impact their year-end charitable giving, while 90 percent of those who gave to political causes say it will not reduce their giving to non-profits this holiday season.
While a majority of those polled said prior giving to political causes and Hurricane Sandy relief efforts will not impact their year-end financial donations, fewer Americans plan to give to charity this year than last year.
The survey found that 52 percent of Americans are planning to donate to charity this season, down from 57 percent the last two years from previous Red Cross surveys. Giving by those who plan to donate to a nonprofit may be less. While 49 percent of those planning to donate will give more than $50, nearly half, 46 percent, say they will give less than $50. Last year, 39 percent of Americans who planned to give said they would give less than $50.
“We are grateful for the generous donations by the American public for the Red Cross response to Superstorm Sandy as well as their support for the work of the Red Cross here in Montana,” Rod Kopp, CEO of American Red Cross of Montana, said. “The Red Cross, like other nonprofits, relies on funding throughout the year to support its mission to help those who need our help. Beyond large-scale disasters, the Red Cross responds to the needs of the community every day through attending to home fire victims, members of the Armed Forces, and those seeking preparedness information.”
In fiscal year 2012 alone, the Montana Red Cross responded to a disaster every 28 hours on average. They handled 174 operations, served 646 individuals, provided financial assistance to 270 families, and opened five shelters. Last summer, they also responded to two major wildfires, which involved opening 20 shelters, aiding 244 individuals, providing 1,031 overnight stays in shelters and hotels, and serving 11,075 meals.
“The Red Cross helps people in need everywhere and every day, and financial donations are critical to allowing us to serve our community,” Kopp said. “Even as the Red Cross is responding to Sandy, we are helping people here in our community as well, just as we do all year round.”
Those who would like to donate to support the work of the Red Cross can visit redcross.org, call 1-800-733-2767 or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Survey Shows Popular Ways to Give
Other key findings include:
• The most popular ways people give are by putting money aside in a canister or giving to someone who is asking for a donation in a public place, both 56 percent, and while 52 percent preferred to mail a check. One in five, or 21 percent, say they have used a charity’s website to donate over the last 12 months.
• Friends are influential in American’s charitable gift decisions, as half of all donors, 51 percent, say they would donate if a friend talked to them personally about a charity.
• Of social media users polled, 68 percent say they would take time to learn more about a charity if they see a friend posting about it. About half, 51 percent, say they would have more respect for a friend that posts about a charitable donation and 39 percent said they would donate themselves.