Page 24 - MidJersey Business - September 2014

WHO IS

GIVING

AND WHO IS

GETTING?

PHILANTHROPY IN MERCER COUNTY

Key excerpts from a study conducted by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and

WPublic Policy, Rutgers University, with Isles, Inc., and the MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce

e understand a good deal cans donate, but we know little about what happens
about why Americans to these resources after the donations have been

donate, however, we lack an made by institutions and people. Where does the
in-depth understanding of money go? How eiciently are these gifts used? Are

how the philanthropic sector these gifts used according to the donors’ wishes? The
operates. Speciically, we rec- answers to all of these questions are not mandated by

ognize much less about how our donations are used law to be answered, yet billions of tax exempt dollars
to further the causes we believe in. In this report, we are being funneled into this sector each year on the

attempt to shed light on the philanthropic sector in assumption that they are being used for “good.”
the United States.
Philanthropy experts have asked how non-proits,

Despite the resources dedicated to philanthropy, charities, and foundations use the money gifted to
not much is known about how the sector works. them. During our research, many more questions

According to the IRS, more than 38 million people were raised than answered, as well as problems stem-

claimed at least one charitable contribution on their ming from the lack of data available to the public
tax return in 2011. We know the amount that Ameri-
about these organizations.

business
22 midJersey