UCI

Charitable Attitudes

This year, we took a special look at attitudes toward local charities, as well as continuing to examine trends in charitable giving and volunteering.

First, we revisited several questions on favorability toward different types of charitable causes. As in the past, residents reported being most favorable toward giving to programs that help the needy (37%), followed by churches and religious groups (32%), hospitals and medical causes (25%) and museums and the performing arts (18%). Graph

Since we last asked these questions, in 1987, favorability toward programs to help the needy and hospitals and medical causes have both declined 10 points, while attitudes toward the other types of charities are unchanged.

Residents' preference for type of charitable cause appears to greatly affect the amount they give. Among those who are very favorable toward donating their money to churches and religious groups, 51 percent say they gave more than $500 to charity this year. Of those who are similarly favorable toward giving to charities that help the needy, 33 percent made a donation of more than $500. Among those who favor donating to the arts or medical causes, meanwhile, fewer than three in 10 gave more than $500 to any charity.

Next, we wanted to learn how often Orange County residents recall being asked to donate money to local charities. About one in three residents say that Orange County charities ask them for money very often, and another 36 percent say they are solicited sometimes. Three in 10 say they are rarely or never asked for donations. Graph

Wealthier residents are more likely to be asked to donate. 45 percent of those making $80,000 or more and 40 percent of those making between $50,001 and $79,999 say they are asked very often, compared with fewer than three in 10 in the lesser income groups. Still, fewer than half in all income groups say they are very often asked to give to local charities. Graph

Importantly, those who recall being asked are more likely to give. Three in four residents who are asked to give very often or sometimes gave at least $100, compared to only about half of those asked seldom or never. Of residents who say they are asked to donate very often, 35 percent gave more than $500 this year, while of those asked seldom or never, only 18 percent gave more than $500 to charity. Thirty-six percent of residents who say they are never asked for donations didn't give anything to charity this year.

We also asked residents about their confidence in Orange County charities. Eighteen percent say they have a great deal of confidence that local charities spend the money they receive wisely, and 52 percent say they have some confidence. Three in 10 have little or no confidence that Orange County charities spend their money wisely. A similar 19 percent of residents have a great deal of confidence in Orange County charities being able to produce results, and 60 percent have some. Sixteen percent have little or no confidence that Orange County charities can produce results. Graph

Confidence in charities has a significant effect on monetary donations. Of those who have a great deal of confidence that charities in Orange County spend their money wisely, 37 percent gave more than $500 this year, and of those with some confidence, 32 percent made such a donation. Among residents with little or no confidence in the way local charities spend their money, by contrast, only 24 percent gave more than $500.

Similarly, of those with a great deal of confidence that local charities get results, 37 percent gave more than $500 this year. Of those with some confidence, 30 percent gave that amount, while of those with little or no confidence, 27 percent gave more than $500.

As for charitable giving, there was a significant rebound this year. Residents reported a median donation of $253 - up $76 from the median reported in 1995. This year's rate of giving is similar to the figures for 1987 and 1989, and is above the 10-year reported average of $220. Graph

One reason for the increase in giving appears to be that residents were more likely to have made a money donation to charity this year than last. Only 10 percent said they gave nothing, compared to 17 percent in 1995. Twenty-two percent gave $1 to $100 this year, 38 percent gave $101 to $500, and 30 percent gave more than $500, including 20 percent who gave $1,000 or more. The number giving $101 to $500 is up 6 points since last year, and the number giving $1000 or more is up 5 points.

Giving increased significantly in the higher income groups. Among those earning more than $50,000, 49 percent gave more than $500, which is the highest rate of giving in that group this decade.

Finally, volunteering also rose this year. One in two residents say they did some volunteer work in the past year, including 28 percent who volunteered for more than one charity. The number of Orange County residents who did some volunteer work is the same as the rate found nationwide (49%), according to a recent Gallup survey. Overall volunteering is up 6 points from last year, although it is below the level found in 1994. Graph

Volunteering for more than one organization is also up 6 points, putting it about even with 1994.Women are more likely than men to have volunteered (56% to 43%). Residents 35 and older are also more likely than younger ones to have given their time (52% to 44%). College graduates volunteered more than did those without college degrees (60% to 41%). Those with incomes over $50,000 are also more likely than those earning less to have done volunteer work (53% to 45%). Graph

As we have seen in the past, people who give time are also more likely to give their money generously. Thirty-eight percent of volunteers gave more than $500, compared to 22 percent of those who did not volunteer.

Those who volunteer also have more confidence in Orange County charities. One in five volunteers are highly confident in the way local groups spend their money, and one in four are similarly confident that local charities get results. Among those who do not give their time, only 14 percent have confidence in either area.