Giving by source: Percentage of the total by five-year spans, 1968–2008

77.8%

82.5%

82.9%

80.2%

79.8%

77.2%

75.6%

75.6%

8.5%

7.5%

4.0% 4.2% 5.1% 6.2% 5.4% 5.4% 4.8% 4.9% 8.4% 6.2% 5.5% 6.7% 7.4% 8.7% 11.1% 12.0% 9.8%

7.1% 6.5% 7.0% 7.4% 8.7%

1969–1973 1974–1978 1979–1983 1984–1988 1989–1993 1994–1998 1999–2003 2004–2008

Individuals Bequests Foundations

Corporations

 

As giving has increased over the past 40 years, foundations have been giving a larger share of the total and individuals have been giving a smaller share of the total. This reflects the growth in the number and assets of family foundations. The Foundation Center estimated that in 2007, family foundations distributed about 56 percent of all grants made by independent foundations.

Bequest contributions, at 9. 8 percent of the total from 1969 through 1973, have been a less significant part of the total since then. Giving in life has become increasingly important. This is especially noticeable in giving to foundations, as the Gates family, the Moore family, the Broad family, and many others have done in recent years.