By Brian Bohl

Plunging stock prices and rising unemployment failed to make an impact on giving to religious organizations, according to estimates from the Giving USA Foundation.

Giving to religious organizations reached an all-time high of $102.32 billion in 2007 according to the foundation’s annual philanthropy report. The figures for 2008 will be calculated after the year’s last fiscal quarter, though the current data shows no sign that people are curtailing contributions to churches nation-wide, especially large-scale donations.

“In analyzing gifts of $10 million or more by individuals, corporations and foundations, we are at pace or slightly above pace with where we were in 2007,” said George Ruotolo, chairman of Giving Institute. “We are optimistic that if there is going to be any affect on religion, it’s going to be pretty small.”

Religious giving surged past the $100-billion mark last year after recording a then-record high of $96.82 billion in 2006, according to The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Melissa Brown, an associate director of research at the center, said giving to religious organizations historically increases in the fourth quarter.

“As of mid-September, there were recorded 140 gifts from individuals/families/anonymous donors of $10 million or more,” Brown said. “This is 61 percent of the total number of such gifts reported in 2007. The third quarter is typically lighter and the fourth quarter is typically a large one for gifts at this level. We appear to be on track for ending the year near where we ended 2007.”

Ruotolo said the numbers from the third and fourth quarter still need to be calculated to officially assess how much money was donated to religious groups this year. Since the Giving USA Foundation started charting contributions in 1966, donations have always increased over a five year period.

In 2007, religious donations comprised a little more than 33 percent of the country’s total giving. Ruotolo said religious organizations are characterized as Christian churches, missionary societies, religious orders, synagogues and other specific religions.

Local houses of worship in Nassau County seemed unwilling to discuss whether the financial difficulties have correlated into expanded outreach programs. The Islamic Center of Long Island declined comment. The Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre and the African Methodist Episcopal Church did not return repeated phone and e-mail messages over a six-day period.

The only religious organization willing to comment said the economy has not altered the community outreach program.

“We do not have any new initiatives,” Sheila Rosenberg, an administrator at the Central Synagogue of Nassau County, said. “We have an ongoing food collection if anyone wishes to avail themselves of it. It has always been our policy not to turn anyone away because of financial hardship. Currently we have not experienced any issues with our present congregants.”