Holiday Giving is Vital to Charities

Holiday giving is vital to U.S charities, which receive on average more than 41 percent of their annual contributions between Thanksgiving and the end of the year.

 “The year-end holidays inspire many people to reach out to those who are less fortunate,” states Charity Navigator, a nonprofit that tracks giving trends and rates the worthiness of the nation’s charitable organizations. “Less altruistically, but still just as important, donors need to make their end-of-year giving decisions by December 31 to qualify for a tax deduction in this calendar year.”

 Online giving also appears to trump other types of giving during the holiday season, and accounts for an average 13 percent of annual donations, according to a study of year-end giving trends by Charity Navigator.

 Many top-ranked charities receive well over half of their donations during the holidays and at least one, Stop Hunger Now, depends entirely on holiday giving. Stop Hunger Now, which has received the Charity Navigator’s highest four-star ranking, is an international hunger relief organization with a stated mission of ending world hunger “in our lifetime.” Among other endeavors, the charity distributes packaged meals to schools, orphanages and communities in crisis. The group also receives and distributes food, medical supplies and other in-kind donations to provide disaster relief.

 Homeward Bound, a Phoenix non-profit that provides transitional housing for homeless families and families victimized by domestic violence, receives 96 percent of annual donations during the holidays. The group, which has received a three-star ranking from Charity Navigator, helps families achieve economic independence and secure safe, long-term affordable housing. Homeward Bound also aims to break the cycle of homelessness and domestic violence.

 The four-star Special Operations Warrior Foundation receives 93 percent of its annual contributions through holiday giving. The group provides a full college education to the surviving children of special operations personnel who have lost their lives while serving the country. The foundation also gives financial assistance to severely wounded personnel so that their loved ones can be at their bedside during recovery.

 The Grameen Foundation USA, SOME, Operation Homefront, Global Links, City Harvest, Homes for our Troops and the Disabled Americans Veterans Charitable Service Trust receive 78 percent or more of their annual donations through holiday giving.

 The accountability and transparency of a charity were extremely important criteria for holiday giving, according to 87 percent of donors surveyed by Charity Navigator. A CEO’s compensation was an issue of concern to 56 percent of donors, while 91 percent of donors considered the financial health of a charity to be a key consideration. Evidence of a charity’s effectiveness ranked as a serious concern for 89 percent of donors.

 This holiday giving season donors appeared most likely to give to human service charities, such as food banks and homeless shelters and least likely to give to arts and cultural organizations.