Giving USA - Spotlight

Giving during recessions and economic slowdowns.

Recessions occur every five to ten years, on average, in the American economy. Economic “slowdowns” also occur from time to time. The official definition of a recession is two successive quarters with a decline in gross domestic product (GDP). Thus, as of September 2008, the country is not in a recession. Yet, the economy is growing more slowly than it did in 2007, and there are serious concerns about how households will meet the costs of food, medical care, and fuel. There are also grave worries about wealth, with recent declines in home values, the continuing credit crisis, and the impact on the stock markets.