Staff Report
alexandrianews.org
When it comes to online giving to charity, Alexandria, VA, Cambridge, MA and Minneapolis, MN topped the list as the nation’s most generous cities based on per capita giving in 2008. The three cities are also leading the way in online giving for 2009. A new report by Convio ranks 273 cities (with total populations of more than 100,000) based on actual per capita online giving and more than 1,700 cities of less than 100,000 people based on the amount donated online.
“This is an outstanding honor for Alexandria when one considers how much the economic downturn has impacted everyone across the board, and people are having to cut back on their personal spending including charitable giving,” said Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille. “Nonetheless, Alexandrians still feel the need to share some of their wealth with others, particularly to those in most need during these hard times. I am proud of our citizens for giving back and helping to make a difference in the lives of a few.”
In 2008, Alexandrians made 26,699 online donations totaling $2,164,411. This was an average of $81.07 per person or $15,042.64 per 1000 City residents. Washington DC ranked fourth with 57,178 online donations totaling $7,127,933. This was a per capita gift of $124.66 per person or $12.043.82 per 1000 residents. Arlington, VA, ranked fifth with 27,035 donations totaling $2,151,084. This was a per capita gift of $79.57 or $10,244.77 per 100 residents.
” I believe the next few years will result in a number of new and exciting initiatives in the nonprofit arena to involve community members in giving of both time and resources,” said John Porter, executive director of ACT For Alexandria. “Technology has already played a major role in assisting people with their philanthropy. The future only holds more promise for this being a major way individuals in a community can work to assist those charitable organizations that are making a difference.”
The 2008 rankings are based on more than $777 million in online donations processed by Convio on behalf of thousands of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations during the calendar year. The current rankings come from donations processed between January 1 and August 31, 2009.
So far this year, Alexandria remains #1 for online gifts, with 25,143 donations totaling $1,869,513.12. This is an average per capita gift of $74.37 or $12,993.11 per 1000 City residents. Arlington moved to fourth place with 25,006 donations totaling $1,575,336.17. This is an average of $63 per person or $7502.71 per 1000 residents. DC has fallen to #9 with 52,751 online donations totaling $3,697,354.39. This is an average of 70.09 per person or 6247.29 per 1000 people.
The most generous large cities (greater than 100,000) in 2008 based on per capita giving:
1. Alexandria, VA
2. Cambridge, MA
3. Minneapolis, MN
4. Washington, DC
5. Arlington, VA
6. St. Louis, MO
7. Seattle, WA
8. Bellevue, WA
9. Berkeley, CA
10. Ann Arbor, MI
The most generous small cities (less than 100,000) in 2008 based on total dollars given:
1. Princeton, NJ
2. Carlsbad, CA
3. Wilmington, DE
4. Alpharetta, GA
5. Bethesda, MD
6. Marietta, GA
7. Silver Spring, MD
8. Boca Raton, FL
9. Rockville, MD
10. Fairfax, VA
Gene Austin is the chief executive officer for Convio. “As the Internet pervades all aspects of our life it continues to become a growth engine for nonprofit fundraising,” he said. “Many of the nation’s nonprofits understand that their donors, volunteers and other supporters use the Internet and digital technology to shop, buy, communicate, entertain themselves and access information “” they also use technology to help manage personal relationships.”
Nonprofit organizations used Convio to process $777 million in online donations during 2008.
