New Survey Shows U.S. Religious Giving to Developing Countries at $8.8 Billion

Christian Newswire: New Survey Shows U.S. Religious Giving to Developing Countries at $8.8 Billion

WASHINGTON, May 12 /Christian Newswire/ — The first national random sample survey of U.S. religious giving from congregations of all denominations to the developing world shows that congregations are giving record amounts in relief and development assistance to poor countries. The pioneering study, combined with other data, found that religious congregations gave $8.8 billion in 2006, according to the recently released 2008 Index of Global Philanthropy.

The Index, published annually by the Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Prosperity (CGP), had previously reported religious giving of $5.4 billion for 2005, based on limited available data. The new survey, undertaken by the University of Notre Dame Center for the Study of Religion and Society, in partnership with CGP, was part of a comprehensive Notre Dame congregational survey supported by the John Templeton Foundation. This far- reaching study found that over half of U.S. congregations gave an average of $10,500 to U.S. organizations for relief and development in poor countries. Over thirty percent made donations directly to programs in developing countries as well as volunteering for short-term missions or service trips. The survey specifically excluded support for evangelism, recording expenditures only for such items as food, clothing, and medicines, as well as cash for schools, clinics and small business development. …