GIVING USA 2010 estimates $227.41B of individual gifts in 2009.  As always, individual giving dominates total charitable contributions, accounting for 75% of the total.  Surprisingly, individual giving remained relatively stable between 2008 and 2009, falling a scant 0.4%.  Total giving fell by an estimated 3.6%, with bequests (-23.9%) and foundation grantmaking (-8.9%) experiencing the largest drops.

Now in its 55th year, this comprehensive study of charitable giving is researched and written by The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.  The Executive Summary of the report: “Giving USA 2010: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2009” is available for free from Giving USA.

Check-out Giving USA 2010 and see for yourself!