According to the Pew Research Center, fewer and fewer Americans hold religious affiliation. And though donations have declined, giving to religion is still pretty common as far as philanthropy goes. Contributions to religion totaled up to 32 percent of all donations received by charities in 2012, according to Giving USA’s annual report.

In 2012, an estimated $101.5 billion was given to various congregations, houses of worship, missionary societies, faith groups, religious media and other affiliated organizations. 

How do you give?

As part of our special series on philanthropy and charitable giving in the United States we’re taking a look at a few things: Where did our strong history of philanthropy come from? What are the economic ramifications of how Americans give? 

As part of the reporting we’re looking back at the history of some of the biggest philanthropists in U.S. history. John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett.

In gauging how important those folks are we would also like to know how the average person gives.

 What inspires you to give money to your local charity? Do you see philanthropy as time spent on a cause or money spent supporting it? We want to know!

 We’ll use your answers to support future reporting on how people give.

Click here to get started!