Although the holiday season has just begun, Marquette is among those organizations that benefit the most from giving year-round.
According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, the self-proclaimed "newspaper of the nonprofit world," charitable giving is on the rise across the nation. In the Chronicle's latest annual survey, Marquette was among the top 400 organizations in the country which benefited from these donations last year.
"Charitable donations are almost as high as in 2000, when the economy was in full flux," said Sharon Bond, marketing manager for the Giving USA Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to advancing philanthropy and nonprofit organizations through research, advocacy and best practices. According to Bond, philanthropic donations have increased steadily over the last couple years.
"Giving usually follows the stock market and the economy," Bond said.
According to Bond, Americans are finally over the economic concerns that trumped charitable donations in 2002 and 2003. Bond also said donations toward disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and tsunami relief were important factors in the increase of charitable donations over the past few years.
However, she said even with the disaster giving factored out, philanthropic contribution would still have increased.
"Disaster giving accounted for $7.73 billion, or only 3 percent, of all charitable donation in 2005," Bond said.
According to Bond, religious organizations are the No. 1 receivers of philanthropic donations, with educational organizations in second place. Combined, they account for a majority of charitable contributions.
"In 2004, religious congregations and other religious entities received over $88 billion in donations, while educational organizations received $34 billion," she said.
Bond said philanthropy in the Catholic community is on the rise as well. According the book "Giving USA," written by members of the foundation, Catholic offertory collections increased by $227 million, or 3.7 percent, in 2004.
However, Edward Robinson, president of the National Catholic Community Foundation, said other faiths give more to charity than Catholics do.
Robinson said although charitable giving among the Catholic community is on the rise, it is due to the fact that the economy is steady and the entire public is giving more.
"The Catholic denomination is the wealthiest and they give the least," Robinson said. "The Jewish population gives the most, followed by the Protestants, followed by the Catholics."
According to Jean Dole, chief campaign officer for the Department of University Advancement, charitable donations received by Marquette are rising, due to increased alumni involvement and participation.
Dole said last year's Magis campaign exceeded university goals, and alumni participation was greater than ever before.
"In the Magis campaign, last year, the university raised over
$357 million with over 57,000 donors," Dole said.
According to Dole, the future of charitable donation to Marquette is bright. Dole said the increased alumni involvement and contribution would allow for larger scholarships for present students and increase funds for faculty and research.
"Scholarships and funds will absolutely increase," Dole said.