AMOUNT OF CHARITABLE GIVING HITS RECORD HIGH

Charitable giving surged to a record high in 2017 as Americans gave more than $400 billion for the first time ever to various organizations, with gifts to foundations seeing the largest increase, according to a report released Tuesday by the Giving USA foundation. The report cited a robust stock market and a strong economy as major factors in the rise. Though the overall amount given to charities has risen, other reports have found the number of Americans giving to charity is declining.