Charitable giving continued to grow in 2007

Despite a slowing economy, charitable giving to healthcare organizations increased last year, climbing 5.6 percent to $8.35 billion between 2006 and 2007, according to a new report. The report, from the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, says that giving has been growing every year since 2002, when it dropped sharply after the economic slowdown in 2001. Data was drawn from 460 healthcare organizations reporting figures drawn from their 2007 fiscal years.

However, the news isn't as good as it sounds. While a 5.6 percent increase is a respectable number, it's only half of the 11.5 percent growth rate healthcare groups saw in 2006. Leaders with the association are predicting that there may not be any expansion in giving in 2008--and worry that giving levels will actually decrease this year.

To learn more about the survey:
-read this Modern Healthcare piece [1] (reg. req.)

Related Article:
Economy may curb healthcare giving [2]