RNS: Congregations Keep on Giving, Despite the Recession

Posted on October 28, 2009 by Kendall Harmon

Despite the economic recession, a plurality of congregations reported an increase in donations in the first half of 2009, according to a new study.

More than two-thirds of 1,500 congregations surveyed said fundraising has increased (37 percent) or held steady (34 percent), according to the study.

Nearly 30 percent said giving had decreased in 2009, a significant uptick since 2008, when only 22 percent said giving had declined.