Foundation giving drops in 2003.(PHILANTHROPY)(Brief Article)

Overall giving by the largest private and community foundations declined 10 percent in 2003 to $14.3 billion, according to a new report by the Foundation Center, New York City. According to "Foundation Giving Trends: An Update on Funding Priorities," the drop in giving stemmed from the impact of stock-market losses.

Key issues attract support. While funding dipped for all major fields, the report notes that several areas--voter education, disaster preparedness, national security, and arms control--experienced substantial funding increases. For example, funding for voter education/rights soared to $15.7 million in 2003 from $4.7 million in 2002. Funding for disaster preparedness quadrupled, increasing from $6.1 million to $24.2 million.

Funders acknowledge rough times. Funding for operating support reached an all-time high of 22 percent of 2003 grant dollars, as grant makers sought to help nonprofit organizations weather a "challenging funding environment."

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