I have read an interesting post on this site where they speak of donations to religious organizations (please note that in the U.S. of $ 180 billion donated to nonprofits, 76 are donated to religious organizations that include both secular religions that the broad phenomenon of "parachiese" which is so widespread in the U.S.).
Fred Smith, president of The Gathering, American nonprofit association annually organizes a conference of philanthropists who donate a minimum of $ 200,000 each year from causes "Christian", has listed some of his thoughts on philanthropy and fundraising in the religious field.

Here are some points, I list them and then I will make some of my thoughts, partly because there are some points in common with the Italian situation:

• The growth of religious nonprofits that deal with development in poor countries through microcredit (eg in 1995 the budget of Opportunity International was $ 7 million in 1999 and had already raised $ 13 million)
• The increased capacity of individuals to finance their religious organizations (parachiese). Tom Monaghandi. owner of Domino's Pizza finances and builds its own Catholic school staff
• The growth of funds for religious education to nonprofits. The CEO America Foundation has invested more than $ 270 million dollars in vouchers to students who go to private schools.
• The growth in the presence of specialized staff in the retention of donors and that it may in future take place in the management of relations with donors than the instituted ministers.
• The growth of the Catholic foundations of their business and network (the National Christian Charitable Foundation, which includes 11 foundations cattolichem, has a patrominio of $ 300 million)
• The next generation of donors will look much involvement with the objective social reality by religious organizations. It is difficult to raise funds for reasons only spiritual, but religious nonprofits will find their rightful place in understanding better the needs of local and international communities.

[Photo by Karl licensed under Creative Commons )