Experts: Young people giving more to charity

Young people in the United States are giving more in money and time than their older counterparts, a trend sparked by social media, experts say. A report on Florida non-profits by the Community Foundation of Central Florida and Cross, Fernandez & Riley, an accounting firm in Orlando, found that people less than 44 years of age are responsible for 50 to 60 percent of donations, the Orlando Sentinel reported. The newspaper said other studies have shown similar trends nationally. "For a long time, an awful lot of non-profits never talked to people under 44," said Mark Brewer, president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation. "The assumption has been, 'Oh, younger people don't have any money.' And that's a misconception. A lot of non-profits are missing out." Jeff Streep, 30, a vice president at a commercial real estate brokerage in Orlando, said much of what he gives is a response to friends: "When I give, it's usually because I had a friend email me directly and say, 'Hey, would you sponsor me for this race or this event?' Because I trust that friend, I am only too happy to help out." Streep says his friends reciprocate. Last year, he raised $5,000 for the annual Friendship Walk of Best Buddies, an organization that helps the developmentally disabled. "With Facebook, it spreads like wildfire," Streep said.