When asked what they believe has the greatest potential for positive impact on society, wealthy donors cited charitable giving, at 45 percent, and volunteering, at 31 percent, above all else. The next-largest percentage of survey participants, 13 percent, believed that voting for a candidate that shares their ideals has the biggest impact on society.
On average, the respondents gave to eight different nonprofit organizations last year, but the number varied based on the donor’s age—donors over 70 gave to an average of 11 different organizations, while those under 50 gave to an average of five recipients.
Oover half of the respondents reported volunteering their time and talents to charitable organizations that they care about in 2015, almost twice the rate of the general population, says U.S. Trust.
The study is based on a survey of more than 1,500 U.S. households conducted in partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.