Online Charitable Donations Increased 14% in 2013

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Image: Mashable composite. iStock, bugbug

By Matt Petronzio2014-04-08 10:03:42 UTC

Gone are the days when non-profits needed to rely only on street canvassing and paper pleas for donations. Email and social media are quickly revolutionizing charity, and according to a new study from M+R and the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN), 2013 was the space's best year yet.

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The study breaks down exactly how leading U.S. non-profits performed online in the past year. In 2013, Internet users donated more than ever before — online giving increased 14% since 2012, with more than 5.5 million total gifts and nearly $325 million raised.

The average one-time donation increased as well, from $60 to $68 ($57 via email only), and overall non-profit website traffic grew 16%. Organizations' annual social growth is also booming, with the average number of Facebook fans increasing 37% and Twitter followers increasing 46%.

The comprehensive study tracked 53 non-profits, including UNICEF, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, AARP, Feeding America and the Human Rights Campaign.

Check out the key findings in the infographic below. You can download the full report Wednesday here.

Image: M+R Strategic Services and NTEN

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Topics: infographics, non-profits, Social Good, U.S., US & World, viral philanthropy