For many, the holiday season is a time for giving back. 

However, some charities say they’re seeing fewer donations this year. That trend is also being seen nationally. 

Charitable giving dropped more than 2% in 2023, according to a Giving USA report. But local organizations are making efforts to reach their donation goals just in time for the new year. 

Officials from the Salvation Army say they’ve seen an increase in services that need to be rendered, such as food, shelter and clothing. But there hasn’t been a substantial increase in income. 

The Chicago Midwest Salvation Army consists of 17 units, including core churches, social service institutions, a women’s and children’s home and shelters. Within the 17 units, their Christmas fundraising goal is $21 million. They anticipate reaching 75% of that total between now and February 2025. 

“Right now, we’re at 50%. We still have another 25% to go,” said Major Kendall Mathews, associate Chicago area commander for the Salvation Army. “We’re a little less from last year, but we want people to know that their donations really save a life, and the dollar really goes a long way. Eighty-three cents out of every dollar goes towards direct services.”

There has also been a need for increased services, Mathews said. 

“There’s been an increase in people and where these people come from, but if they try escaping difficult life situations they found themselves coming to America, and Chicago has been a sanctuary city,” said Mathews. “There are more people needing shelter. There’'s more people needing food. There’s more people needing hope and salvation.” 

Though charitable giving has dropped for individuals in 2023, corporations have increased by 3%. Mathews believes the decrease in individual donations could stem from a lack of resources in the area. The Salvation Army has a 25,000 coat goal and they are currently only at 7,000. 

“People are holding on to these items longer. And why are they holding on to it longer? Well, because they don't have the resources that they had maybe a year ago,” said Mathews. 

A recent Wells Fargo survey shows 29% of respondents gave less to charity this year than they did the year before and 51% feel they don’t have enough money to give to charity at all. 

But the Salvation Army has seen some positive results this month. The Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs on Wednesday returned $27,000 in I-CASH missing money to the Salvation Army. 

“We make an extra effort at this time of year to return money to nonprofits and groups that helps others in need,” Frerichs said in a statement. “I am grateful we found this money for an organization that provides people life-saving services throughout the year. The Salvation Army makes the holiday season brighter for people who might be going through a challenging time.”

Mathews says those funds will be automatically put in to help sustain people’s lives. 

“We’re about transformation. We’re about doing the business that will help to transform a man’s life or a woman's life or family’s life,” said Mathews.

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