Charitable Giving Up 20%
The healthy economy prompted more philanthropy among Americans last year, who donated nearly $17 billion more to charities than the previous year. Charitable giving jumped 10.7 percent to $174.52 billion in 1998, according to the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel.
Healthcare was a top beneficiary, receiving $16.89 billion, 20.4 percent more than the previous year.
A strong economy, low inflation, a growth in personal wealth and more sophisticated fundraising are top reasons for the surge.
Other areas that saw big increases include:
- Civil rights and public affairs, which had the biggest increase of 29.5 percent or $10.86 billion.
- Wildlife and environmental organizations took in $5.25 billion, up 28.3 percent.
- Human service organizations generated $16.08 billion, up 27 percent.
Charitable statistics are derived from deductions listed on tax returns and reports submitted by more than 3,000 charities. (American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel, 212/354-5799; http://www.aafrc.org)
BUSINESS BUZZ
- Shandwick International appoints Paul B. Costello, former VP at HBO and a media strategist whose clients include TIME and Disney, to the newly created position of managing director/national media. (Shandwick, 212/591-9823)
- Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, New York, appoints Derek Creevey to VP/director of external relations. He replaces Paul Jacoby who left the agency to pursue an MBA at Harvard University. (Ogilvy, 212/880-5204)
- APCO Worldwide acquires Batey Burn, an investment and government relations consultancy with offices in China and Vietnam. Founder Peter Batey was appointed chairman of APCO Asia and founder Richard Burn will be co-managing director of APCO Asia with Mark Michelson. (APCO, 202/778-1039)
- Fleishman-Hillard assumes a majority interest in Vallun Wilkins, a PR firm in South Africa. The acquisition signals the agency's first foray into South Africa. Vallun Wilkin is managing director. (FH, 415/356-1080)