Giving in Illinois      

Illinois foundations and individuals donate $9.1 billion to charity

Foundation and corporate giving falls in 2003 for the first time since 1997

[DEC. 17, 2005]  PEORIA -- Charitable giving in Illinois totaled $9.1 billion in 2003, an increase of 2 percent from 2001, according to a new report on foundation, corporate and individual giving trends in the state. Released by the Donors Forum of Chicago, "Giving in Illinois 2005" found that this increase was fueled by a rise in individual giving, while foundation and corporate giving dropped for the first time in six years.

Using 2003 data, the most current data available for Illinois foundations, the report offers detailed analysis on grant making by region, subject area and support type.

After steadily increasing since 1997, grant making by foundations and corporations fell for the first time in 2003. Giving by foundations and corporations totaled $1.49 billion, a decrease of 9 percent from 2001. Meanwhile, giving by individuals in Illinois rose to $7.6 billion in 2003, an increase of 5.8 percent compared with 2001.

"Illinois residents continue to be generous in their support of charitable causes," said Jim Sullivan, executive director of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois. "While foundations and corporations are still recovering from the impact of the recession on their assets, the increase in giving by individuals more than made up for that loss."

While grant making fell, assets of Illinois foundations rose by 6 percent in 2003. "The rise in assets is a good sign that foundations will be in position to increase grant making in the future," said Valerie S. Lies, president and chief executive officer of the Donors Forum. "Funders are being cautious now so that they will have the asset base necessary to maintain or increase grant making later."

In spite of the slow economy, Illinois saw some signs of growth in philanthropy. The new report showed a 12 percent increase in the number of foundations, which totaled 2,888 in 2003. The report also found that giving to arts, environmental and international affairs causes increased.

Out-of-state foundations awarded $213.9 million in grants to Illinois recipients, according to the report. The majority of these grants supported education, human services and health organizations.

The full report is available for purchase at www.donorsforum.org.

About the Donors Forum of Chicago

The Donors Forum of Chicago is the region's premier resource for leadership, education, research and action on behalf of philanthropy and nonprofits. A regional association of grant makers, the Donors Forum enables the philanthropic and nonprofit sector to address community concerns with comprehensive information, skilled leadership and the resources necessary to build institutions and affect change. To learn more about the Donors Forum, call [phone] or visit www.donorsforum.org.

About The Community Foundation of Central Illinois

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois is a pool of hundreds of charitable funds entrusted to the foundation for long-term philanthropic good. The foundation invests the funds and then uses the distribution to award scholarships to students and grants to nonprofit organizations, exactly as the donor intended. To learn more about the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, visit www.communityfoundationci.org.

[Community Foundation of Central Illinois news release]

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