The number of 501(c)( 3) organizations, 1999–2008

1,010,365 1,045,979 1,064, 191

1, 128,367

1, 186,915

964,418

909,574

865,096

819,008

773,934

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

 

The number of registered charities has increased steadily, averaging growth of 5 percent per year in the past decade.

The number of active charities is not fully represented by the number of registered organizations. Houses of worship are not required to register, although some do. Small organizations, with very little income, are not required to register at the federal level. A study by Kirsten Grønbjerg of Indiana University found as many as one-third more active charities than appeared on official registration lists.

The number of registered charities increased by 53 percent between 1999 and 2008. In that same period, according to the Current Population Survey conducted annually by the Census Bureau, the number of households increased 12 percent and inflation-adjusted total giving rose 17 percent. Household (individual) giving rose 15 percent. Foundation giving rose 55 percent.