Seven percent was through bequests and the rest came from business. Low-income people are among the most generous. They appear to be more religious, and almost half goes to religious organizations. Higher-income donators give more to private education, their alma mater and museums. Among recipients, human services and the environment rank low, Smith said.
Trends tend to be generational.
Americans 60 and older are the most generous. They value savings, are likely to be religious and grew up in a family tradition of giving, Smith said. It's part of one's civic duty. Then it goes downhill. Baby-boomers are not savers, they want fairly immediate gratification.