Christine Lodewick

Encouraging women to utilize their own financial resources for their own ideals was a very important part of equalizing society’s response to women – to see them as equal partners, not just as adjuncts. I felt a definite identification with the ideal of educating women about their power through philanthropy.

Giving USA 2009, released on June 10, 2009, shows that charitable giving in the United States is estimated to be $307.65 billion for 2008. This is a 2 percent decline compared with the revised estimate of $314.07 billion for charitable giving in 2007. The decline is 5.7 percent after adjusting for inflation. Giving USA is a publication of Giving USA Foundation™ and is written and researched at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Order the report online or read the press release.

Other information related to the economy and giving:

• Briefing on the Economy and Charitable Giving December 2008
• Giving and the Stock Market
• Nonprofits Say Overall Climate For Charitable Fundraising Worst Since 1998
• Religious Giving in Uncertain Times