FPN News
Florida Giving Grew Through 2007,
But Declined in 2008-2009 and Likely to Stabilize in 2010, New FPN Report
Shows
(Winter Park, FL - February 16, 2010) Charitable giving by
Florida's foundations and corporations totaled $1.43 billion in
2007, an increase of more than 32 percent from 2001, according to a
new report by Florida Philanthropic Network, a statewide association
of grantmakers. But due to the economic recession, the report
estimates that foundation and corporate giving declined by about 3
percent in 2008 and by more in 2009, but is likely to stabilize or
grow slightly in 2010.
"The economic downturn in Florida and
the nation has clearly impacted foundations and their charitable
giving in the state," said Katie Ensign, president of Florida
Philanthropic Network, a statewide association of foundations,
corporate givers and other grantmaking organizations. "The serious
stock market declines in 2008 resulted in drops in foundations'
assets, which are the basis for their future grantmaking to support
the important work of nonprofit organizations. But there are
early signs that the outlook for Florida giving will begin to
improve in 2010."
The report shows that even though Florida
foundations had less charitable grantmaking dollars in the past few
years, they have tried to make adjustments to ensure that their
grants are being has effective as possible in helping nonprofits
through the economic crisis. In fact, 64 percent of Florida
foundations say they have made changes to their grantmaking programs
in response to the current economic climate, according to an FPN
survey of Florida grantmakers.
After two years of estimated
declines, Florida grantmaking is likely to stabilize or increase
slightly in 2010, according to the FPN survey. Forty percent
of Florida grantmakers expect their total grants to increase in 2010
from 2009 levels, with half of these funders anticipating their
grant dollars to grow by 4 percent or less, while another 42 percent
expect their grantmaking to stay about the same.
The FPN
report provides an updated portrait of the size and scope of
charitable giving in Florida. Individuals, foundations and corporate
givers in Florida gave $17.7 billion in charitable contributions in
2007, a 36 percent increase from 2001, according to the report.
Florida's more than 4,000 foundations gave $1.43 billion of that
amount and held assets of more than $22.1
billion, while individual Floridians contributed $14.1 billion to
charity.
The report, "Giving in Florida: The State of
Philanthropy in the Sunshine State," can be downloaded from FPN's
website at
www.fpnetwork.org/ourresearch. Print copies of the report
are available for purchase.
Founded in 2001, Florida
Philanthropic Network is a statewide association of grantmakers
working to strengthen philanthropy through research, education and
public policy. Florida Philanthropic Network represents community,
private, corporate, operating and family foundations and other
grantmakers across the state that are committed to building
philanthropy to build a better Florida.
Contact:
David Biemesderfer
Florida Philanthropic Network
407-478-6263
