The first 11 months of 2011 saw overall giving in the US rise by 3.4 per cent in comparison to 2010, returning giving levels to those last seen in 2007.

The Blackbaud Index, which accumulates all of its various index statistics, reports that charitable revenue grew 1.4 per cent in the last three months to November 2011 compared with 2010, based on the $2.5bn revenue generated in 12 months by 1,281 charities. Overall growth was at its lowest in March 2011 but the figures improved significantly from May through to July.

There has also been a significant improvement in online giving, up 12 per cent from the 2010 figures according to the Blackbaud index of online giving contained within the report. These results were based on the $383m raised online in 12 months by 1,769 charities.

Despite the positive figures there has been a mixed response from industry experts on 2012 predictions. Blackbaud Index creator Chuck Longfield said: “Total US charitable giving appears to finally be back to its pre-recession levels. Fundraising remains challenging but hopefully the worst is behind us, and non-profits will continue to see positive growth in 2012.”

Andrew Watt, president and chief executive officer of the Association of Fundraising, had a more cautious reaction to the findings: “We’ve been getting quite positive messages from our members, who are optimistic, but I don’t think anyone feels they are going to see spectacular growth in 2012.”

The US growth figures contrast with those in the UK where the overall value of donations has flatlined at £11bn. Even though the number of people giving to charity rose in the last year, the average amount donated dropped slightly from £12 to £11. The US is the world leader in charitable donations in terms of overall giving and percentage of income donated.