The Bulletin - of THE AMERICAN ASS0C1ATI0N 0F FUND-RAISING COUN SEL - No. 21 - Decem ber 31, 1956

Sep 21, 2026

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The Bulletin issue No.21 dated December 31,1956 compiles American fund-raising news and observations, reporting large-scale giving levels in 1956 and comparisons to 1955 across religious, health and welfare, and education support. It highlights spending for new religious construction, trends in United Funds and Community Chests, and estimates for individual, corporate, and foundation contributions. It also frames motivations behind giving, presenting a non-authoritative chart of emotional and practical reasons and corresponding giving patterns.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

The Bulletin

Philanthropy totals and giving by category

Motivations for giving and established patterns

Who gives and in what manner

A Compilation # of News and Notes Related to Fund-Raising Vol.2 AMERICAN PHILAN THROPY IN 1956 $1,870,000,000 in 1956. 鸡ARYGROve )LLE(RA)DETROIT.MICHIGAN LEASE DO NOT REMOV # The Bulletin of THE AMERICAN ASS0C1ATI0N 0F FUND-RAISING COUN SEL No.21 Decem ber 31,1956 reached a total of $6,100,000,000,according to conservative estimates.Totalphilanthropy in 1955 was estimated at $6,000,000,000. Religious giving,in 1956,for all faiths and all purposes,approximated $3,120,878,000,about ten percent above the total for 1955.New religious con-struction alone cost $775,000,000 during the year,the bulk of this sum comingfrom contributions. Increased giving to health and welfare,a major area of philanthropy,isindicated in reports of United Funds and Community Chests which forecast totalcontributions of $378 million,in 1956,about 12 percent over last year. Total giving for all health and welfare purposes is estimated at Higher education also benefited from the upswing in philanthropy.Reports of alumni funds,an index of giving to higher education,show the totalgiven is 18 percent above last year.Giving to higher education was officiallyreported to total $400,000,000 in 1953,and is expected to reach $550,000,000in 1956,excluding sums which were given in 1955,but paid in 1956. The contributions of individual givers accounted for the greater partof the total American philanthropy,perhaps as much as 70 percent.In 1953,the last year for which official figures are available,individual contributorsreported deductions for contributions of $3,556,617,000.During the pastfive years the percentage increase in tax deductions for contributions hasbeen about half the percentage increase in personal income.If that ratio wasmaintained then individual contributions reported for tax purposes shouldreach $3,791,000,000 in 1956. Corporate giving which was reported $494,517,000 in 1953 is apparent-ly well in excess of $550,000,000 in 1956. Foundation giving which set a new high in 1955,due to an unusualyear end contribution is estimated to have exceeded $500,000,000 in 1956. Need for wider knowledge of motivations in giving has been the subject ofmuch recent discussion.There have been many dissertations on the matter,some scientific,some pseudo-scientific,and some based only on commonsense.Psychologists offer widely varying opinions,while some psychiatristsdeny there are any common patterns of motivation.The chart on this pageattempts to set forth some opinions.It makes no claim to being authoritativeor final,but is offered merely as a matter of interest and discussion. SOME OF THE W Platforms for GivingFor These ReasonsLove of God.To fulfill a spiritual convict ## The Human Spirit Love of fellow-man.To improve the quality ofSense of social responsibility.To meet a responsibility.Thoughtful,rationalized giving,in substantial proportionTo be fair.to ability to give.To set an example.The finer emotions.Responsive giving-ordinarilyTo further an ideal.modest,but wide-spread giving. Pity-and Sympathy.Generosity. Out of gratitude for goodFor a sense of spiritualelevation...satisfaction.Habitual or repeat giving.Early training.The family charity.Habit.Gave last yearConformity.Everybody's doing it.Minor glorification.Everyone enjoys esteem.Response proportionate to the impactFear.of the appeal on self-interest.Three out of four will dieSelf-protection. ## The Established Pattern The Self-Interest Emotions Don't let this happen to yoSelf-aggrandizement.Contributors'lists.Submission to pressure.Fear of social and busines.Tax advantage.Likely to increase size of ## /HO...WHY...AND HOW...OF GIVING | | These People Give | In This Manner | In Response To | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ion.
ife. | The deeply religious.
Those who have a sense of social duty | After investigation and analysis of
the need. | Careful and documented statement
of the case. | | | | | | | | and have at

FAQs

What giving totals does the Bulletin report for 1956 and how do they compare to 1955?

It reports total American philanthropy reaching $6,100,000,000 in 1956, compared with an estimated $6,000,000,000 for 1955. It also estimates religious giving in 1956 at about $3,120,878,000, roughly ten percent above 1955.

Which areas of philanthropy receive attention beyond general totals?

The Bulletin highlights religious giving and new religious construction costs, increased health and welfare contributions forecast through United Funds and Community Chests, and higher education support including alumni funds.

How does the Bulletin explain motivations behind giving?

It discusses varying views among psychologists and psychiatrists and presents a non-authoritative chart on opinions. The chart organizes giving reasons into emotional and self-interest patterns, linking each to a typical way donors respond.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora