'Tis the season for giving gifts — and charities in New Jersey are hoping for an increase in end-of-the-year contributions.
The biggest proportion of charitable funds is usually collected in the last two weeks of the year. said Linda Czipo, executive director of the Center for Non-Profits that provides training and advice for all charities in the Garden State.
"With the holidays people are thinking more broadly, thinking about giving back, thinking about the spirit of the season," she said. "For some, tax considerations are certainly a factor."
While giving has increased as the economy has improved, Czipo said it's still not keeping pace with the demand for the services charities provide.
"The road to recovery is a long one and social service organization, human needs organizations are being particularly hard hit, but the problem is pretty acute across the board," she said.
The Giving Tuesday movement after Thanksgiving has encouraged more donations, Czipo said. And more charitable groups are using social media to recruit volunteers and donors throughout the year, she said.
