Giving Back During the Holidays – Californians Increase Donations to Charity by 53% During Holidays

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Causes.com, the largest online platform for social activism, today released results from a December 2010 online survey conducted on its behalf by Harris Interactive regarding Californians’ habits for donating money to charity. The survey found that 83 percent of Californians have donated to a charitable organization and that among them, 33 percent are more likely to make contributions during the holiday season. Additionally, Causes has also released data regarding Californians habits for increasing charitable donations during the months of November and December.

“We’re seeing an increase in charitable donations across the state of California, especially during the Holiday Season”

The Holiday season is definitely the time of year that many people feel like giving back. According to Causes, donation amounts by Californians on the site increase by 53% during November and December compared to other months throughout the remainder of the year. Also, three times as many people make donations through Causes during the Holidays vs. non-Holiday months.

To make it easier for people to donate to various charities and non-profits, Causes has released the first-ever charitable gift card, which is available in Safeway and Vons stores across California. Causes (www.causes.com) is dedicated to empowering individuals to have an impact on the world and the Causes gift card allows consumers to give a gift that makes a difference: gift card recipients will choose from over one million charities and make a donation online at www.causes.com/giftcard.

“We’re seeing an increase in charitable donations across the state of California, especially during the Holiday Season,” said Joe Green, co-founder and president. “Our goal is to make giving as easy as possible for everyone. The charity gift card is a great way for consumers to give a gift that gives back, not only in time for the upcoming holiday season, but for all gift-giving and charitable occasions year-round.”

California Cities That Give More and Less during Holidays

San Franciscans care the most during the Holidays, increasing their charitable donations by 56 percent compared to non-Holiday months. Top cities that increased their giving significantly include:

San Francisco – 56 percent increase in giving
Long Beach – 33 percent increase in giving
San Jose – 30 percent increase in giving
San Diego – 29 percent increase in giving
Los Angeles – 11 percent increase in giving

California cities that experienced decreases in giving to charitable organizations during Holiday months

Sacramento – 43 percent decrease in giving
Oakland – 40 percent decrease in giving
Santa Monica – 31 percent decrease in giving
Huntington Beach – 17 percent decrease in giving
Bakersfield – 14 percent decrease in giving

Why Californians Donate

The survey found that 45 percent of Californians who have donated to charity were motivated to make contributions to a charitable organization because a friend/family member is raising money for a specific cause. Also, 50 percent of these adults cited they wanted to do something positive for their community. Other motivators shared by Californians include:

Someone close has died or is suffering from a disease/ailment – 41 percent
Specific event taking place such as a natural disaster – 40 percent
To commemorate a special occasion – 13 percent
Needed the tax write off – 13 percent
To feel good about themselves during the Holiday – 7 percent

California Cities That Give The Most

According to Causes, Bay Area cities give the most per capita to charities and non-profits, with four of the top 5 cities in 2010: Palo Alto, San Francisco, Mountain View and Berkeley. Other major cities in California such as Los Angeles and Sacramento continue to rank lower. Top cities include:

City

	1.	Palo Alto
	2.	San Francisco
	3.	Mountain View
	4.	Berkeley
	5.	Santa Monica
	6.	Sunnyvale
	7.	Santa Barbara
	8.	Oakland
	9.	Fremont
	10.	Irvine
	11.	Santa Rosa
	12.	Pasadena
	13.	Huntington Beach
	14.	San Jose
	15.	San Diego
	16.	Sacramento
	17.	Los Angeles
	18.	Long Beach
	19.	Riverside
	20.	Fresno

Top Charities Californians Donate to on Causes

Nature Conservancy, Inc.

University of San Francisco Foundation

Network for Good, Inc.

Fitness Challenge

OxFam- America, Inc.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Humane Society of The United States

Overseas China Education Foundation

The Prem Rawat Foundation

Charity Global, Inc.

Earth Island Institute Inc.

Doctors Without Borders, Inc.

A Life A Time Foundation

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals dba ASPCA

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., National Office

SPCA International, Inc.

Living Stones Village USA Limited

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Inc.

Kids Strong

Causes gift cards are available in denominations of $25 and $50 at Safeway and Vons stores across California. To find a Safeway or Vons location near you where Causes gift cards are available, visit www.safeway.com.

Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Causes.com from December 7-9, 2010 among 2,257 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Paul Loeffler – paul at sutherlandgold dot com.

About Causes.com

Causes.com is a mission-driven company dedicated to empowering anyone with passion for change to impact the world. By building tools for individuals to mobilize their network of friends to grow lasting social and political movements, Causes.com is currently the largest online platform for activism and one of the top ten Facebook applications. With 120 million registered users, and over $130 million raised for charities through the platform, Causes is just getting started. To find out more and get involved, go to www.causes.com.

Follow Causes.com on Twitter at http://twitter.com/causes and Facebook at www.facebook.com/causes.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world’s leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what’s next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.