Sponsoring the Center's Communication Activities
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Dear Friends and Colleagues:
I hope you are able to find some relief and enjoyment in the midst of a historical heat wave blanketing most of the country. Be assured that we're all trying to find creative ways to stay cool and comfortable in a summer that seems to end much too quickly.
Our summer research activities have focused primarily on refining our Individual Giving Model (IGM) which produces quarterly estimates on individual charitable giving. As new information becomes available, we plan to adjust and disseminate our new estimates for 2009 with the long-term objective of continued development of the model. In this issue, I have included our most recent IGM estimates which appeared in the July/August issue of Advancing Philanthropy published by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Also, in this newsletter, I have included a short excerpt from my recently published book, Wealth and the Will of God, co-authored with Keith Whitaker. The book looks at some of the spiritual resources of the Christian tradition than can aid serious reflection on wealth and giving.
I will continue to send research updates periodically for your review and information. As always, do not hesitate to contact me regarding the research done at CWP as I always enjoy hearing your thoughts and concerns in these challenging times.
Cordially Yours,
Paul G. Schervish
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| Update on the Individual Giving Model (IGM) |
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by John J. Havens and Paul G. Schervish
Advancing Philanthropy, July/August 2010
The Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College estimates that individual charitable giving in 2009 amounted to $217.3 billion, a decline of $11.2 billion (4.90 percent) from our estimate of $228.5 billion for 2008 ¹. Adjusting for inflation in 2009, our estimate of $228.5 billion in 2008 dollars amounts to $227.9 billion in 2009 dollars and results in a decline of $10.6 billion, or 4.65 percent.
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Click here to read full report |
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| Book Excerpt: Wealth and the Will of God |
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by Paul G. Schervish and Keith Whitaker
February 2010
What is wealth, how do we recognize it, and what is it for? How do we understand it in the context of faith, which assigns ultimacy to God alone? These are some of the broader questions the story poses, and they are the focus of this book. To explore answers, we consider six great theologians, philosophers, and spiritual leaders and their thoughts on life and wealth, especially how riches can serve ultimate purposes. The book does consider the nature of giving and spending money via consuming, tithing, or other means, but its scope goes beyond philanthropy. Those topics are examined as they relate more to the meaning and purpose of life for people of faith.
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Click here to obtain book order information... |
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