January 2012 Saw Rise in Charitable Giving, Atlas of Giving Finds

January 2012 Giving By State
-Giving growth in January was particularly strong in four states: Pennsylvania up 2.7 percent, Florida up 2.7 percent, Illinois up 2.6 percent, and Texas up 2.0 percent over January, 2010.

2012 Giving Forecast
-The forecast is bright for charities with an international mission, projected to be up 8.9 percent.
-Giving to churches and religion is forecast to grow at less than half the rate of overall giving growth — up just 1.7 percent.
-Political fundraising will divert some dollars from charitable giving but the impact will not be significant overall accounting for less than 1 percent of the charitable giving annual total.