NC charitable giving rebounds in 2022, but need rising just as fast

Even with rising gas prices, food prices and rent, North Carolinians opened their wallets to in-state charities to the tune of $47.5 million dollars from July 2021 to June 2022. That's one of the highest figures ever, and a big increase over the reported $34 million given in 2020-2021.

This doesn't even include the money North Carolinians gave to schools, churches, multi-state, national or international charities - only those regulated by the Secretary of State's office.

Marshall also said the percentage of your dollar going to services, rather than overhead, is the highest it’s ever been – averaging about 82%.

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"By any metric, the news in this year’s report is fantastic," Marshall, D-North Carolina, said at a press conference in Raleigh. "Overall giving increased by 40% from last year’s report, and charities’ effectiveness hit an all-time high."

However, Marshall cautioned, don’t take those numbers to mean your donations aren’t needed. Need, she said, is rising just as fast.

"Many of our neighbors need our help right now. Some are facing housing insecurity. Some are facing food insecurity, other challenges," she said.

Marshall delivered her report at the Green Chair Project in Raleigh, a charity that supplies furniture and household essentials for needy families.

As the cost of living in the area continues to rise, director Jackie Craig said, demand for their help has never been higher.

"We're serving right now in a week [at a level] where prior to COVID, we would serve in a month," Craig said. "30 to 40 families a week are seeking assistance from Green Chair."

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"Very unaffordable housing being all that is often available, that leaves very little money left over for people to prioritize things like a bed for their child, or furniture to sit on, or even dishes to eat off of or pots and pans to cook with," Craig said.

Craig said Green Chair serves households "who have experienced homelessness, who are aging out of the foster care system and starting over as an adult for the first time, a woman and her children fleeing domestic violence, or refugees who are new to our community and new to our country."

"We want the public to give generously but wisely," Marshall said, "Or as we say, 'Check before you write one.'"

Marshall is also asking the public to please alert her office if you encounter a fake charity that appears to be nothing more than a scam.