High Net Worth Philanthropy
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The Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy biannually examines the giving patterns, priorities, and attitudes of America’s wealthiest households. The 2014 study is the fifth in a series written and researched by the school in partnership with Bank of America. These studies, the first of which was issued in 2006, have set the benchmark for research on the giving practices of high net worth households. New research themes in 2012 included donor strategies, giving outcomes, and donors’ sensibilities concerning the economic and political landscape of the time.
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Item The 2023 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy: Charitable Giving by Affluent Households(Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2023-10) Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana UniversityThe 2023 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy: Charitable Giving by Affluent Households reveals trends in the giving and volunteering behaviors of affluent individuals and households consistent with previous years, as well as some departures from past trends. Most (85.1 percent) affluent households gave to charity in 2022, and more than a third (36.8 percent) of affluent individuals volunteered their time. On average, affluent donor households gave $34,917 to charity in 2022. By comparison, donor households in the general population gave $2,581.Item The 2021 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy: Charitable Giving by Affluent Households(2021-09-29) Osili, Una; Clark, Chelsea; Bergdoll, JonThe 2021 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy: Charitable Giving by Affluent Households reveals trends in the giving and volunteering behaviors of affluent individuals and households consistent with previous years, as well as some departures from past trends. The vast majority (88.1 percent) of affluent households gave to charity in 2020, and nearly a third (30.4 percent) of affluent individuals volunteered their time (down significantly from 47.8 percent in 2017), despite the COVID-19 global pandemic. On average, affluent donor households gave $43,195 to charity in 2020. By comparison, donor households in the general population gave $2,581.Item Affluent Americans Expand Generosity During the Pandemic(2021-05-13)In times of crisis, Americans have historically responded quickly and generously to assist others and address urgent needs. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed severe challenges. Preliminary findings from the 2021 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy: Charitable Giving by Affluent Households (the “Study”) show that affluent Americans rose to these challenges in many ways. Some affluent households made unrestricted contributions to nonprofits to sustain operations across a wide variety of causes, and others expanded their generosity with additional forms of charity such as giving directly to individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic. Focusing on the communities in which they live, affluent households often concentrated their giving locally—whether to nonprofits, individuals or businesses.Item Executive summary: The 2018 U.S. Trust® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy(2018-10-24)Insights into the motivations, priorities and strategies of wealthy donorsItem The 2018 U.S. Trust® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy(2018-10-24) Osili, Una; Clark, Chelsea; Bergdoll, Jonathan; Ehrenfeld, Julia; Costello, Claire; Fitzgerald, Jean; Howell, Gillian; Galligan, Kathleen; Jarvis, William; Porzio, Donald; Slugg, RamsayThe results of the 2018 U.S. Trust Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy demonstrate, in many ways, a continuation of the broad trends seen in previous years’ Studies. Taken as a whole, giving by high net worth households appears to be stronger than ever. The familiarity of these ongoing trends is reassuring, but it may also be deceptive. Trends are, by definition, dynamic, and the trends in this year’s Study reveal a powerful undercurrent of social, economic, political and demographic forces that will compel nonprofit organizations to adopt strategies and business practices that are more inclusive and transparent.Item The 2016 U.S. Trust ® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy(2016-10-25) Osili, Una; Clark, Chelsea; St. Claire, Mallory; Bergdoll, JonathanThe 2016 U.S. Trust® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy reveals consistent trends in the giving and volunteering behaviors of high net worth individuals and households from previous years, as well as departures from past trends. Most (91.0 percent) high net worth households gave to charity in 2015, and nearly half (49.7 percent) of high net worth individuals volunteered their time. On average, high net worth households gave $25,509 to charity in 2015. By comparison, households in the general population gave $2,124 in 2015.Item The 2014 U.S. Trust ® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy(2014-10) Rooney, Patrick; Osili, Una; Thayer, Amy; Baranowski, Grace; Hayat, Amir; Davis Kalugyer, Adriene; Hyatte, CynthiaThis study reveals consistent trends in the giving and volunteering behaviors of high net worth individuals and households from previous years, as well as departures from past trends. Nearly all (98.4 percent) high net worth households continued to give to charity in 2013. In fact, the findings show a 3 percentage point increase in the rate of giving by these households from 2011. A majority of high net worth individuals (75.1 percent) also continued to volunteer their time in 2013. More than one-third (34.3 percent) of these volunteers gave 200 hours or more of their time, while almost three-fourths (73.7 percent) of the volunteers volunteered at two or more organizations.Item The 2008 Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy: Issues Driving Charitable Activities among Affluent Households(2009-03)The 2008 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy offers new insights into the philanthropy of wealthy donors. Conducted by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University for Bank of America, the 2008 research follows an initial landmark study published through this partnership in 2006.Item The 2012 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy(2012-11) Bank of America; IU Lilly Family School of PhilanthropyThe 2012 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy examines the giving patterns, priorities, and attitudes of America’s wealthiest households for the year 2011. This study, the fourth in a series written and researched by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University in partnership with Bank of America (in particular, U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management), builds on previous studies issued in 2006, 2008, and 2010. In addition, this partnership has produced two other reports — the 2011 Study of High Net Worth Women’s Philanthropy and the Impact of Women’s Giving Networks and the 2006 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy: Portraits of Donors. Together, all of these studies provide valuable information about high net worth giving across multiple dimensions to be used by nonprofit professionals, charitable advisors, donors, and others interested in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.Item The 2011 Study of High Net Worth: Women’s Philanthropy and The Impact of Women’s Giving Networks(2011-12) IU Lilly Family School of PhilanthropyThe 2011 Study of High Net Worth Women’s Philanthropy is the fourth in the series of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s research reports that offer new insights into the philanthropic attitudes and behaviors of wealthy donors. Conducted by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, this year’s research follows an initial landmark study published through this partnership in 2006, with subsequent studies conducted in 2008 and 2010. The new 2011 study focuses on the motivations and behaviors of high net worth women and increases the understanding of the influence of women’s philanthropic networks in creating informed and engaged donors and volunteers.