The research for this report was conducted by The Foundation Center. This preview provides a "first look" at estimates of 2003 giving and directions for 2004 giving, along with actual 2002 giving and assets data for 65,000 U.S. foundations. Findings from the report indicate that: 

• Foundation giving declined in 2003 by an overall 2.5%, resulting from a 10% decrease in foundation assets between 2000 and 2002.
• Ten of the top 50 foundations realized gains in assets in 2002, while 30 foundations saw a double-digit decrease in assets. Six foundations reported a loss of at least $1 billion.
• Independent foundations, including family foundations, decreased giving by 3.3% in 2003; the largest decrease by foundation type. Assets of independent foundations decreased by 7.6% in 2002.
• Corporate foundations decreased giving by 2% in 2003, the first noted decline since 1987. Assets of corporate foundations declined by 7.4% in 2002.
• Community foundations increased giving by an estimated 1.5% in 2003, following a 5.1% increase in 2002.  Assets decreased by 1.7% in 2002.
• The number of grantmaking foundations grew by nearly 5% in 2002.

Link:

For More Information Contact:

Steven Lawrence, Director of Research, The Foundation Center
Telephone: 212.807.2410
E-mail: [email protected]