Western New York charities optimistic for future despite national downward trend in giving

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A recent annual Giving USA report shows that charitable giving dropped in 2.1% in 2023 , a similar downward trend when compared to 2022, when Giving USA reported a 3.4% decline.

Major Annette Lock of the Erie County and Buffalo area Salvation Army services says she has seen a concerning decrease just over the last several months.

"We have seen over the last several months a dip in donations of our general contributions coming through of somewhere around 6%, which, of course does impact the types of programs that we're able to offer and the numbers that we're able to serve through those programs that we operate, so it is concerning."

Catholic Charities of Buffalo raised a total of $8,002,705 in cash and pledges, representing 84% of its $9.5 million goal for their biggest annual fundraiser this year. It was a drop of about $1.1 million from last year's fundraising efforts, and the lowest total fundraised in 30 years.

President and CEO of United Way of Buffalo and Erie County Trina Burress notes that Western New York has always had a history of being a generous community, which is why members of her organization are optimistic for the future despite the continued gradual downward trends.

"There's no question that given everything going on with the economy and the needs of the communities, that giving has gone down. What I will say is that, there is optimism, right? If you look at business reports, they talk about the market being up, and so therefore, they anticipate philanthropy going back up. People are still recovering from COVID, and all those kinds of things, we are optimistic [here in our community] that the future will hold."

Burress also noting that although more and more people can't give financial support, many still give their time. The United Way's annual Day of Caring saw over 2,000 volunteers in Western New York working on outdoor projects last month on June 18, one of the hottest days that Western New York faced during the historically hot week.

"Volunteerism is as strong as we've ever seen," noted Burress. "Despite the fact of the heat index was over 100, [volunteers were] doing all kinds of projects, 85% of which were projects outside and we had that great level of commitment, we didn't see people backing out. Also, I'll say that we had many, many organizations taking part in our community baby shower for the first time ever. So while giving may be down, the awareness and the commitment is as strong as it ever has been."