Annual Survey Shows People of Los Angeles are Generous Givers, Especially in Wake of September 11.

News/Lifestyle Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 26, 2001

The California Community Foundation's fifth annual survey of giving and volunteering in Los Angeles County shows that while only 4 percent of residents knew someone injured in the events of September 11, two-thirds did something to help the victims, and 70 percent say that September 11 giving will not reduce the amounts they normally give to other causes.

The survey showed 66 percent of Los Angeles residents gave in the wake of September 11, about the same as nationally. Of these, half donated money, one-fourth donated blood and one in five helped collect or raise money. Overall, response to the terrorist attacks did not vary by age, gender or ethnicity. The most common method of giving was to place money in a canister or box, and the most favored recipient was the American Red Cross, with 61 percent of those designating it as the charity of choice for this event.

Overall, 94 percent of those surveyed said they had donated money or goods for charitable purposes over the last 12 months. More than half the 500 Los Angeles County adults surveyed this year say they gave directly to a not-for-profit or charity in the form of cash, check or credit card. But many more -- two-thirds -- say they have given money directly to a homeless person. Over three-fourths of respondents have volunteered; the most popular means of sharing time are building, fixing or repairing something without pay, and visiting or caring for someone ill or disabled. The most frequent form of giving is in donations of toys, food and clothing.

"People in Los Angeles seem to favor giving that is highly personal, that draws upon their empathy and compassion," said Joe Lumarda, Executive Vice President of the California Community Foundation. "This year's results show that Los Angeles residents are responsive and immediate givers, moved to action when they see firsthand the difficulties faced by those less fortunate than themselves. And Los Angeles' response to the events of September 11 shows that television brought New York very close to home."

A finding that Los Angeles County residents appear optimistic about their economic future supports the possibility of increased giving. Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they feel economically secure and 89 percent think they will be the same or better off next year.

"People's optimism about the local economy, coupled with recent events, leads us to believe that we may see a boost in giving in the immediate future," said Deborah Jay of Field Research Corporation, which conducted the poll. "In fact, the number of people who say they have donated money or goods over the last year, 94 percent, is up from 86 percent in 2000, and may be directly attributable to September 11," she noted.

This year, about half of financial and goods donors said they received a $300 or $600 tax rebate from the federal government, but only 20 percent of donors say they have or plan to give all or part of the rebate to charity.

Asked about the value of their donations, one-fourth said they gave up to $100, one-third gave $100 to $500 and another quarter gave more than $1,000.

In a show of modesty, two in five respondents said they were volunteers when directly asked, but when questioned about specific activities they may have undertaken, more than three-quarters showed they share their time and expertise through volunteer activities.

When asked about the attributes of living and working in Los Angeles County, highest rankings went to the high quality of arts and entertainment and the region's support of diversity. Lowest rankings went to living safely and working together to improve living conditions. Only 15 percent said Los Angeles is a place that provides "excellent" education for kids.

Field Research Corporation in San Francisco conducted the poll from October 18-29, 2001. Interviews were completed with 500 adults using random digit dial listings to obtain a representative sample. The survey has a margin of error of plus/minus 4.4%.

Established in 1915, the California Community Foundation is one of the largest community foundations in the United States, with an endowment of more than $500 million. In the 2000-2001 fiscal year, the community foundation awarded more than $78 million in grants to hundreds of Los Angeles County nonprofit organizations. The community foundation is one of the largest and most active philanthropic organizations in Southern California.

NEWS AND ASSIGNMENT EDITORS NOTE: Materials from the Field Research Corp. study are posted on the California Community Foundation's Web site. This survey is the fifth annual poll of Los Angeles County charitable giving habits commissioned by the community foundation. See: http://www.calfund.org