Passionate Steward - 10th Anniversary Edition

Recovering Christian Stewardship from Secular Fundraising 91
In 1996, individuals were responsible for fully 80% of all
charitable giving in the United States. 36 Of the $150 billion in
philanthropic donations, $120 billion was given by individuals. By
2000, individual charitable gifts had risen to an unprecedented
$152.07 billion. And yet, despite a robust economy, this amount
accounted for only 75% of the national total, which had increased
to $203.45 billion. This represents a decline of 5%. 37
Notwithstanding an increased focus and investment in philanthropy,
individual giving is thus showing all the signs of lagging behind
philanthropic giving as a whole.
In Canada, total direct financial support to charitable and nonprofit
organizations totaled an estimated $4.51 billion in 1996 38 (3%
of total charitable giving in the United States during the same
period). Even adjusted for population, Canadian philanthropic
giving was only 27.8% of the American total in the same year. This
is not to say that Canadians are not generous. While the number of
dollars given is remarkably different than in the United States,
Canadians are becoming increasingly charitable. 39 Indeed, the
growth in the fledgling Canadian philanthropic sector shows that
Canadians are individually willing to take up needs currently being
transferred from the State to private, public and religious charities.
36 Based on Melissa S. Brown, ed., “1998 Revised Estimate of All Charitable
Contributions,” Giving USA 2001 (Indianapolis: AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy, 2001),
p. 156, and taking account of reports by the IRS indicating an additional $28 billion
in estimated contributions by non-itemizing taxpayers.
37 Ibid.
38 Source: Statistics Canada, NSGVP Highlights, Catalogue no. 71–542–XIE, 1997,
p. 10.
39 It is almost impossible to draw direct comparisons between philanthropic
giving in the United States and Canada. However, the general trends are the same in
both countries. Individuals account for the most significant portion of philanthropic
giving, and the upward trend of generosity amongst lower income groups increased
overall giving to religious causes and programs historically administered by the State.
It is my contention that just as the Church lost its sense of stewardship wherever it was
“established” or became an agent of the State, so has government sponsorship of
social services made Canadians more willing to pay higher taxes, but less inclined
than Americans to give directly to philanthropic causes.