Doing Good

The end of the year brings a plea from charities and nonprofits for donations, and as people really think about giving, it is worth remembering the organizations that do good but may not always be at the top of the list.

Statistics suggest many Americans could do more — and make a big difference for very little out of pocket. According to an analysis of Internal Revenue Service data, the amount of money given by people whose annual incomes were more than $200,000 has declined while donations from low and middle-income people grew dramatically in recent years. Experts say that as little as a 1-percent increase by high-earners would pay huge dividends for the nation’s neediest causes, as much as doubling the total.

For 2014 tax purposes, donations must be postmarked or sent electronically before midnight on the last day of the year. Nonprofits say there is an uptick in giving in December, but we should remember that the need — and the opportunity to help — does not expire when the ball drops in Times Square.