Americans Are Giving More Money to Almost All Charities—Except Churches

Giving USA finds 'significant shift' in charitable giving post-recession.

Religious organizations may have received the largest proportion (as usual) of the more than $316 billion donated by Americans last year. But they're also one of the only giving sector not bouncing back post-recession, according to an annual assessment of American philanthropy.

In its annual report, the Giving USA Foundation calculates that charitable giving to houses of worship and religious organizations fell 2.2 percent in 2012 (when adjusted for inflation) over the previous year. Meanwhile, every other giving sector except foundations saw donations grow in 2012. Read more