It is better to give than to receive, so the saying goes.

Based on the results of a 2015 Dunham+Company Study, many African-Americans will gladly give more to charity this year, despite a rise in the number of people who have suffered financial setbacks compared to last year.

The survey, conducted by Wilson Perkins Allen Opinion Research, indicated a five per cent increase in those who were willing to give to the needy compared to the 13 per cent in 2014. Of the respondents, 33 per cent of African Americans indicated that they plan to give to charity, 49 per cent attend religious services at least once a week and 45 per cent are from the South. Fifty per cent earn less than $35,000 a year.

Out of all the respondents, only 8 per cent of Americans said they planned to give less this year compared to 24 per cent in 2014.  Eighteen per cent planned to give more.

Rick Dunham, president and CEO of Dunham+Company, a firm specialising in consultations for non-profit organisations to help them achieve their overall goals, said that the results of the survey do not come as a big surprise since the profile of philanthrophists often includes a strong religious base.

"One of the common threads that runs through philanthropy is the proportion given by those who attend religious services frequently and the higher ratio of giving that comes from those living in the South," he said.

"So it is no surprise that we see both surfacing in our study this year. But what is unique is the strong sense of commitment to giving even though clearly more people are feeling like their financial situation has worsened."

Dunham noted that only 25 per cent of the respondents said that their financial conditions improved compared to last year's 35 per cent. Of that number, 26 per cent indicated that their financial situations have worsened while 36 per cent of respondents who make below $35,000 a year said they suffer from poorer financial situations compared to last year.

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