Press Releases

For Immediate Release
7/24/2003
Contact: Sloan C. Wiesen
(202) 387-9177
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GIVING AT WORK 2003 FINDS GROWTH IN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Report Finds Continued Growth in New Models of Employee Charity Drives as United Way Shifts Focus Toward Wealthier Donors
WASHINGTON ­­­­- Charitable donations pledged to alternative funds, the workplace giving programs that complement United Way charity campaigns, have grown to comprise 11 percent of pledge dollars from traditional donors in American workplaces from 1996 to 2001.  Meanwhile, United Way has shifted its fundraising focus to appeal to wealthier donors.  These are among the findings in Giving at Work 2003, a new publication released today by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), reporting the results of a survey the organization conducted in conjunction with the National Alliance for Choice in Giving.

"The growing alternative funds movement has come into its own as an important complement to traditional workplace charity drives," said Kevin Ronnie, NCRP's director of field operations and project coordinator for the report.  "When employees have a fuller range of charitable choices in the workplace, they can more easily support organizations engaged not only in direct-service oriented charity but also those working to create lasting, positive social change."

A sequel to NCRP's Charity in the Workplace 1997 report, Giving at Work 2003 found that alternative fund pledges grew by nearly 36 percent from 1996-2001. It also revealed that United Way's shift in fundraising strategies to appeal to wealthier donors has coincided with anemic growth among traditional workplace donors (who give less than $1,000 annually).  Contributions to United Way from traditional donors rose by only 0.46 percent from 1996-2001 - and actually fell by 9.09 percent from 1991 to 2001.

"Alternative funds continue to grow and to demonstrate great potential as a way to increase employees' choices in their charitable giving at the office, while making a difference for social-justice oriented charities," added Ronnie. "We hope this new report will be a useful resource for organizers in the field."

Giving at Work 2003 can be viewed at www.ncrp.org and print editions can be ordered from NCRP for a cost of $25 per copy ($12.50 for current NCRP members, free to journalists). Credit card orders can be placed by calling NCRP at (202) 387-9177. Otherwise, checks or money orders should be made payable to NCRP and mailed to the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, 2001 S Street NW, Suite 620, Washington, DC 20009.  Purchaser's name, address, organizational affiliation, phone, fax and e-mail address, as well as the name and quantity of the desired publication, should be included to ensure proper processing.

Founded in 1976, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy is dedicated to helping the philanthropic community advance the traditional values of social and economic justice for all Americans.  Committed to helping funders more effectively serve the most disadvantaged Americans, NCRP is a national watchdog, research and advocacy organization that promotes public accountability and accessibility among foundations, corporate grantmakers, individual donors and workplace giving programs.  For more information on NCRP or to join, please visit www.ncrp.org or call (202) 387-9177.

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