Maximum Generosity

It's been a tough time financially for churches the past three years. But just as a glimmer of hope began to surface this past year, the federal government's desire to tinker with the charitable tax deduction has most church leaders concerned.

The 3rd annual "State of the Plate" constituency survey of more than 1,500 congregations showed that 43 percent of churches saw giving increase this past year. That's up from 36 percent last year). 

When asked about the federal government's plan to modify the rules concerning charitable tax deductions, 91 percent of church leaders expressed concern that this would negatively affect giving.

"Charities and churches have been hit hard by the economy the past three years," says Brian Kluth, founder of MAXIMUM Generosity and the State of the Plate research. "If the government's plan to change the rules on charitable tax deductions goes through, giving to charities and churches will likely be negatively affected."