Three in four Christian donors are giving generously in recession

Over 80 percent of evangelical Christians donated the same amounts of money in 2009 as they did in the years prior to the recession according to Why Christians Give, a new report on giving habits and attitudes of 21st century evangelical donors, published by McConkey ● Johnston international UK and the Evangelical Alliance.

The survey of 2,000 evangelical Christians carried out in August and September 2009 shows that the average amount donated was 11.5% of monthly household income of which 6.5% is donated to local churches and another 5% to Christian charities. Another 1.5% of income is donated occasionally to non-religious charities also.

However, the economic downturn is impacting Christian giving. Although the majority of the evangelicals are keeping their giving commitments nearly half of them (42 percent) are not taking on new giving opportunities.

Christian outreach, international relief and development and healthcare charities are the top three causes supported by evangelicals in a typical month.

Standing orders and direct debits are evangelical’s favourite ways of giving used by 56 percent of donors. The least popular way was online giving used only by 2 percent of donors.

Today’s evangelical donors are looking for meaningful relationships with the charities they support. They are likely to keep giving to charities that tell them how the money is being spent, truly appreciate their contributions and do not send them too many financial appeals.

To purchase a copy of the report visit: www.mcconkey-johnston.co.uk/researchongiving