The National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices
Congregations receive the largest proportion of charitable giving in the U.S. – almost 29% of all giving. Despite the amount of money entrusted to them by individual givers, as well as the influential role they play in public life, very little is known about congregations’ economic practices. As trends in charitable giving, religious affiliation, and congregational membership are experiencing significant change, there is a need to examine what is happening among arguably the largest recipient group of Americans’ giving.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NSCEP
A Snapshot of American Congregations
As a nationally representative sample, the NSCEP provides a descriptive snapshot of U.S. congregations.
CONGREGATIONAL TRENDS
The NSCEP measured trends in the amount received and the number of regular participating adults over the past three years (2014 to 2017). In the report, the NSCEP breaks down these trends by such factors as religious tradition as well as size and age of congregation.
RECEIVE, MANAGE, SPEND
The NSCEP report provides an overview of how congregations receive, manage, and spend their financial resources.
RECEIVE
Who gives to congregations, when, and how?
MANAGE
How do congregations teach about money and finances, and how do they steward the gifts they receive?
SPEND
How do congregations spend their financial resources to serve their members, community, and beyond?
Download the full report for a deeper analysis on all of these categories.
NOW AVAILABLE
The NSCEP research initiative began in 2016. With grant funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc., congregations were invited to participate in the survey in early 2018. By fall of 2018, analysis of survey data was well underway. The first of several reports released in fall 2019, with additional data analysis and expanded findings to follow in 2020.
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To Arrange Media Interview, contact:
Adriene Kalugyer
Manager of Public Affairs
317-278-8972
sopmedia@iupui.edu
Contact Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
301 University Blvd. Suite 3000
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-278-8998
LFI@iupui.edu