75% of American giving goes to religious organizations

Americans gives a lot of money to religion - this is one of the findings of the National Study of

American Religious Giving in November 2013. Almost three quarters of American giving goes to

religious organizations.

The study highlights the importance of religion in American philanthropic life. Religion is where

Americans give, and a reason why they give. The study revealed that 55% of Americans say that

their religious orientation motivates their giving.

The study found that 65% of religiously-affiliated people donate to congregations or charitable

organizations. 80% of Americans are religiously affiliated.

This data shows just how much of America’s tax deductions are a boon to religious

organizations. When we think about charitable gifts, most of us probably include religious

institutions within a laundry list of good causes: Save the Whales, the American Cancer Society,

and so on. In fact, three quarters of American giving—and three-quarters of the concomitant

tax benefit – goes to religion.

Religion is supposed to make us better people, which includes, being more generous. Religion

causes people to give more—to religion itself.

Foreign contributions and donations to scores of Indian voluntary organizations, religious

groups and charitable institutions every year touch nearly Rs 5,000 crore.

World Vision International, a United States-based Christian relief and development

organization, is the biggest donor agency for many Indian voluntary groups. World Vision

released nearly Rs 95 crore for charitable purposes for Indian agencies last year.

As per the latest available data with the Union home ministry, the US heads the list of donor

countries to India with Rs 1,492.62 crore followed by the United Kingdom Rs 677.59 crore, and

Germany Rs 664.51 crore.

Among the states and Union Territories, Delhi is the leading recipient followed by Tamil Nadu,

Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

The Income Tax Act has certain provisions which offer tax benefits to the donors. Section 80G is

one of such sections. Any person or organization making a donation to a religious organization

which is registered under section 80G will get a deduction of 50% from their taxable income.

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