Report: 12.7 Percent Increase in Environmental Giving for 2012

DALLAS, Texas (April 19, 2012) – Atlas of Giving today announced a 12.7 percent increase in charitable giving for the environmental sector as Earth Day preparations are being made around the world. The Atlas of Giving provides a monthly report on charitable giving in eight sectors, including religion, education, disaster services, health, arts, international, environment and society benefit. Currently, the environmental sector is leading the charitable giving economy in 2012.

"The environmental sector has been the strongest charitable giving sector to grow in 2012, and we believe that is in response to an improvement in the unemployment numbers. Re-employed individuals who are aligned with environmental causes are among the first to resume their giving. In recent months, even slight improvements in unemployment are having a significant impact on environmental giving," Rob Mitchell, Atlas of Giving CEO, said. "The loyalty of individual donors to environmental causes is particularly strong as compared with donor loyalty in other sectors."

The Atlas of Giving report shows economic growth and stock market performance is making a positive impact as charitable giving continues to increase this year. And, the Atlas of Giving cites the reasons behind environmental giving growth is directly tied to an increased awareness and concern about environmental issues that is motivating new contributors and reinforcing the resolve of existing donors to maintain and increase their support.

Earth Day is consistently one of the strongest days for global philanthropic efforts in the environmental sector. According to the Earth Day Network, more than a billion people around the globe will participate in the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day by voicing their appreciation for the planet and demanding its protection. Events are happening around the globe and in addition to giving, Earth Day encourages participation.

For more information about Earth Day, go to earthday.org.