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Charitable Giving With the exception of a sharp dip in 1992, this year's donations are on a par with the amounts given annually since 1990. The peak year for charitable giving was 1989, when the median donation was $285. Sixteen percent of county residents gave no money to charity this year. Twenty-two percent gave up to $100 and 33 percent gave $101 to $500. Nearly half (44%) of residents earning more than $50,000 a year gave more than $500 to charity, the same as in 1993. Nine percent of people earning less than $36,000 and 27 percent of those with household incomes of $36,000 to $50,000 gave this amount. Giving is down slightly in the top income group this year - among those earning more than $80,000, 50 percent gave more than $500, including 42 percent who gave more than $1,000. In 1993, 59 percent of the top earners gave more than $500, with 49 percent giving more than $1,000. By age, 16 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds, 35 percent of 35- to 54-year-olds and 43 percent of older residents gave more than $500 to charity. Forty-three percent of college graduates and 18 percent of those without college degrees donated more than $500, as did three in 10 of those in homes with and without children alike. These numbers are all unchanged from last year. This year, we took a special look at volunteering time for charitable causes. In Orange County, 62 percent say it is highly important to volunteer time and 64 percent say volunteering can make a big difference in solving community problems. Nationally, 36 percent say volunteering is highly important, according to a 1992 Gallup Poll. More than half (55%) of Orange County adults have engaged in some volunteer activity in the past year, while 26 percent have volunteered for more than one organization. Forty-four percent spent some time volunteering in the past month and 32 percent donated at least five hours of their time in the past month. Volunteering is highest among employed residents, people aged 35 to 54, college graduates and those earning more than $36,000 a year. People who donate money to charity are also more likely to volunteer their time. The most common reason given for volunteering is the belief that it is important to help others (58%), and most get involved through participation in an organization or work (35%), or because they know someone who is benefitting from the activity (23%). Most who do not volunteer say it is because they are too busy (60%). Chart 1: Amount given to
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