Contribute/Harris Interactive Poll

The survey of 3,040 Americans in October showed that most see a strong role for philanthropy but some three-fifths agree or "agree somewhat" that more policing is needed, while 56 percent say they're more concerned about misue of funds than they were a decade ago.

Some 59 percent said they are more concerned now than a decade ago about whether the money donated actually gets to the people who need it the most, while 46 percent said they are more worried today about charity fraud or theft of funds or services. Some 49 percent say they were worried about unnecessary administrative overhead.

The Contribute/Harris poll also showed that a majority of those queried—63 percent—care most about health and medical causes, with environmental causes cited by 45 percent as being most worthy of their interest. Children and youth causes were cited by 36 percent, followed by 35 percent saying they care most about education and literacy causes.

Also noteworthy about the Contribute/Harris poll was that a full 17 percent of those polled do not give any money to charity, with 36 percent saying they volunteer time and services, while 68 percent say they give money to issues and causes that matter to them the most.Here are the detailed findings.

In your opinion, how effective is the current method of charitable donations

(i.e., onor gives money to an organization that then distributes it)

in getting money or aid to those who need it?

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following

statement: There should be more regulation of nonprofit/charity

organizations than currently exists.

How would you describe your philanthropic interests and efforts today?