Majority of New Yorkers Gave to Charitable Groups in 2003

Nearly 60 percent of New Yorkers gave cash, clothing, or food to charitable organizations last year, a new survey found. Half the donations went to local social-service organizations, followed by educational institutions and hospitals and health causes.

The survey, conducted in March by New York University’s George H. Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising, culled responses from 404 city residents to a variety of questions, including one aimed at comparing the percentage of Mets baseball fans who donate (60 percent) with that of Yankees fans (54 percent). This is the first time the survey has been done, but the researchers say they hope to repeat it next year.

The survey found that 75 percent of men age 45 and over gave to charity last year, followed by 56 percent of women over 45. Least likely to give were people under 45.

Despite several recent high-profile scandals involving misuse of charitable donations, 58 percent of respondents said they felt most charities were honest and ethical in their use of donations. More than a third of respondents felt that charities should spend less than 10 percent of money raised on administrative costs and salaries. And nearly 80 percent felt that charity fund raisers should be specifically trained and licensed to perform their jobs.

Regarding solicitations, more survey participants reported giving in response to a mail appeal (51 percent) than to a telephone appeal (26 percent). Only 6 percent have donated money electronically, either through a Web site or in response to an e-mail appeal.

Eighty-two percent of respondents said they preferred to make donations anonymously.

For a free copy of the “2004 NYU Philanthropy Survey,” contact Ken Brown, New York University, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, 7 East 12th Street, New York, N.Y. 10003-4475; (212) 998-7070; or e-mail Mr. Brown at scps.press@nyu.edu.