You would think that the bad economy would make people less prone to be charitable, but in reality the altruistic spirit is stronger than ever – at least according to a poll* conducted recently by PARADE. The poll revealed that 91% of respondents have reached out or participated in at least one activity in the past 18 months in order to make a difference in society.

People donated their time:

  • 37% delivered food to the hungry
  • 30% helped organize a fund-raising event
  • 32% helped clean up a public area
  • 27% communicated about a cause through e-mail, Twitter or Facebook
  • 24% volunteered at a soup kitchen or food bank
  • 21% raised money for a cause through a sporting event
  • 19% mentored a student

And they were generous with their money:

  • 67% bought charity raffle tickets
  • 58% purchased something unnecessary to support a cause
  • 34% gave money after being moved by a news story

In addition, parents modeled their social responsibility:

  • 90% worked hard to teach their children the importance of activism
  • 64% led by example
  • 51% talked to their children about issues and causes
  • 35% discussed their own contributions and volunteerism
  • 31% urged their children to follow the example of socially active role models
  • 25% encouraged their children to donate money to causes

According to the poll, motivation to do good is deeply rooted:

  • 60% say they donate or volunteer in order to help others
  • 57% want to make the world a better place
  • 49% seek to improve their neighborhoods
  • 39% do so because it makes them feel good about themselves
  • 37% act out of a sense of moral obligation
  • 36% are fulfilling their sense of duty

And yet, the 2009 financial report from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is sobering. Forty-seven percent of the MCN’s 2,000 nonprofit member organizations experienced a decline in gifts from individual donors. That pales in comparison to the 60% of nonprofits that reported a decline in revenue from corporations and foundations. At the same time, 60% of nonprofits reported an increased demand for services, and 42% an increase in expenses.

Volunteerism remains relatively strong – only 10% of MCN’s organizations reported a decline in volunteers. It’s reasonable to speculate that, with the state’s unemployment rate still hovering at around 8%, people are volunteering because:

  • They have more time on their hands
  • They want or need the social interaction
  • They are exploring possible alternative career paths
  • They have a heightened empathy for those in need
  • They are compensating for their inability to donate money

As the economy begins to recover, will people be more generous with their money, yet continue to volunteer, too? Hopefully, Americans’ commitment to social responsibility is steadier than the Consumer Confidence Index®.

* Poll conducted by Penn Schoen Berland LLC with a national online panel of adults ages 18 and over. Surveys were completed by 1008 respondents. Margin of error +/- 3.1%.

- LuAnne Speeter