Survey: Corporate Giving Rises Among Big Firms, Foundations

A poor economy did not put a stop to U.S. charitable giving among the country's largest companies and foundations in 2003, according to an annual survey of corporate giving. Just the opposite occurred, in fact, according to the New York-based Conference Board, which conducts an annual survey of corporate giving. The Conference Board noted that among the 134 corporations and foundations that participated in both the 2002 and 2003 surveys, U.S. contributions increased by 24%. Total U.S. contributions rose from $3.13 billion in 2002 to $3.88 billion in 2003 among this group. The median figure rose from $7.4 million from $6.6 million in 2002. The 24% increase among the 134 corporations and foundations that participated in both surveys surpasses the 4.2% increase for all companies and foundations from 2002 to 2003. The Conference Board said an examination of survey participants that participated in both the 2002 and 2003 survey provides the best year-to-year trends in U.S. giving. The Corporate Board's 2003 survey was conducted via e-mail and mail between February and June 2004.