New Zealanders More Generous than Aussies - Report

New Zealanders have doubled their donations to charitable causes in the past six years and are more generous than Australians, a new report has revealed.

Commissioned by Philanthropy New Zealand, the Giving New Zealand Philanthropic Funding Report 2011 shows that New Zealanders gave about $2.67 billion to charitable and community causes during 2011, compared with $1.27 billion estimated in a previous study in 2006.

Personal donations and bequests from individuals were the single largest source of philanthropy, contributing $1.55 billion – or 58 per cent of total estimated giving – an increase of 23 per cent.

The results reveal that New Zealanders are now more generous than their Australian neighbours, and second only to the United States in giving.

Executive director of Philanthropy New Zealand, Robyn Scott, said that while it was a small nation, New Zealanders have “big hearts” with over one million people giving to charitable causes in 2011.

“We are also seeing an increase in thoughtful, targeted giving with people supporting their chosen causes through new easily accessible channels such as payroll giving,” Scott said.

“Vodafone New Zealand is a very good example of business giving, through the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation. Since 2002, it has given more than $11m to over 150 charitable organisations.”

The Christchurch earthquake appeals led to a massive spike in donations in March 2011, but Scott says the study clearly shows an ongoing pattern of increased generosity.

Philanthropy New Zealand says that more than 1000 employers have signed up to payroll giving, since the scheme was introduced two years ago.

It says that Kiwis donated $3.05 million through payroll giving last year and in September 2011 alone, over 2,100 employees donated just over $240,000.

Some key findings on the contributions of the three sources examined in the philanthropic sector in 2011 are:

• trusts and foundations funded just over one third (36 per cent) of total estimated giving. Statutory trusts provided over two thirds of this funding
• personal donations and bequests were the single largest source of philanthropy in 2011, contributing three fifths (58 per cent) of total estimated giving
• businesses accounted for approximately just under 6 percent of total estimated giving. Business giving excludes sponsorship. If sponsorship to charitable organisations were included, businesses’ contribution would be almost twice this amount again, lifting their share to just over 8 per cent (one twelfth)

The top three activities benefiting from philanthropic funding were culture and recreation with 31 per cent, education and research with 25 per cent and social services with 11 per cent.

Of payroll giving, Scott said: “We are hoping to see a continuous rise in payroll giving as word spreads and people become more confident in targeted giving to their chosen causes.”