In 2018, giving to religion by individuals, corporations, and foundations declined, decreasing by 1.5 percent (3.9 percent when adjusted for inflation) to $124.52 billion, or 29 percent of total charitable contributions. While concern has been raised that declining donations to religious congregations and a decrease in religiosity in the U.S. could lead to fewer charitable… Read more »
Faith and Philanthropy
Interfaith holiday giving in 2018 and 2019
At the crux of most faith traditions lies service to others. As Dr. David King wrote in a 2017 Insights issue, “While different faiths may address giving in various ways, at their core, there is most often a shared sense of the necessity of giving, to care for one another and in particular the poor,… Read more »
Shame and money: Cultivating authenticity in a world of masks
Last year, I was awarded a grant through Leadership Education at Duke Divinity to support an innovative approach to leadership within my institution, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving. Lake Institute offers a variety of educational and public programs on a regular basis; however, we’ve never offered a renewal day or retreat for our constituents…. Read more »
Learning about zakat, Muslim philanthropy, and new ways to grow nonprofit capacity
As I took a look at the agenda for the Symposium on Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society, I couldn’t help but wish that I could attend the entirety of the two-day event. My schedule gave me the opportunity to attend one session though, one I greatly looked forward to. The session specifically focused on zakat… Read more »
‘Helping those we serve thrive as they learn to live generously’
By Marcia Shetler A few years ago during a family vacation to northern California, we visited Sutter’s Mill, where John Sutter’s discovery of gold in the American River set off the California gold rush. Our three young grandchildren enjoyed doing their own prospecting along the riverbank. They were excited about their shiny discoveries, even though… Read more »