American Philanthropy Saw Huge Jump Last Year

A strong economy and a string of major disasters boosted cash and in-kind gifts 13% to $62.7 billion, according to an annual survey of 400 charities.

The jump marked one of the largest percentage gains since the Chronicle of Philanthropy began the survey 16 years ago. The biggest increase came in 1999, when wealth fueled by the technology boom helped charities notch a 13.4% gain in donations.