Have some private donors increased giving in response to the pandemic?
Fidelity Charitable, which manages dedicated charitable-giving accounts on behalf of individual donors, says its clients increased contributions by 16% in the first four months of 2020 to $2.35 billion. Donations to free-food programs jumped almost sevenfold to $75 million.
The Foundation Source, which advises foundations set up by private individuals and families, reported that 42% of surveyed clients had increased giving since the start of the year. The group said 37% significantly shifted their missions to accommodate pandemic-related needs such as food security.
Feeding America, a nonprofit supporting 200 food banks, said increased support helped it provide 1.3 billion meals between March 1 and mid-June, up 40% from the same period last year. It didn't provide specifics about its funding sources during the period.
