Giving Trends
Top Foundation Investments in San Diego County
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Foundation Center data on the top 50 U.S. foundations awarding grants in the San Diego metropolitan area (circa 2005).
San Diego
Nearly half, 46%, of San Diego County residents report participating
in volunteer work over the past 12 months.73% San Diegans report
that someone in their household made a charitable contribution over
the past year.
- Gender differences in donations are minimal, 74% men and 71%
women report donating.
- Giving to charity increases with income, almost half (46%)
of San Diegans earning less than $20,000 donate to charity, 76%
of those earning $20-60,000, and 92% of those earning more than
$60,000.
- Giving tends to increase with education levels. 55% of those
with a high school degree or less education give, 78% of those
with some college, and 88% of those with at least a college degree.
- Most households who donate report giving to three or more different
groups in the past 12 months-- resulting in an average of 3.5
groups receiving donations per household.
Number of organizations households donate to
48% County residents reported total household contributions under
$500, 15% reported total household donations of $500-999, 19% reported
donations of $1,000-4,999, and 8% reported donations of $5,000.
Total household contribution in San Diego averages $2,028
Of the total household contributions, 43% report giving all donations
to local charities, while 19% of respondents report giving more
than 50% to charities outside of San Diego.
Where San Diegans Give
Nearly half of San Diego households donated to human service providers
or religious groups. Children's, educational, and veteran organizations
received donations from a third of households.
Strong majorities voice that improving public education (80%),
protecting the environment (72%), and improving neighborhood safety
(71%) are “very” important. Smaller
segments rank reducing poverty (62%) and ensuring high quality arts
and cultural programs (42%) as important.
Approximately 45% of survey respondents rate local nonprofit organizations
and businesses as effective in improving the quality of life in
San Diego County.
43% of survey respondents report being contacted by telephone by
a nonprofit organization, 30% report contact by mail, and 28% report
receiving no solicitations in the past 12 months
from nonprofits.
27% of San Diegans did not donate money to charities, however approximately
6% of this group did volunteer their time with a charitable organization.
21% of respondents did not donate money or time.
With regards to not donating money, most non-donors cite lack of
resources rather than lack of motivation:
- 48% Can't afford it
- 10% Never thought about it
- 4% Already helping someone
- 3% Don't trust charities
San Diego Volunteers
Nearly half of County residents report volunteering time; at 49%,
women are more likely to volunteer their time compared to 42% of
men.
- San Diegans between the ages of 35-44 volunteer the most at
52%, while 48% of people in the 45+ age group volunteer and 39%
in the 18-34 age group.
- 62 % of County residents earning $60,000+ volunteer, 43% of
those earning $20-60,000 volunteer, and at 27% those earning less
than $20,000 are least likely to volunteer.
All San Diego philanthropic data presented in this report is derived
from the findings of the 2000 San Diego County Philanthropy Survey
conducted by Field Research Corporation. Thank you to the
Alliance Healthcare Foundation and the McCarthy Family Foundation
for commissioning such critical information for San Diego.
SDGrantmakers members can obtain copies of the report by calling
619.744.2180. |
