From Marly Falcon, Knight Foundation contributing blogger:

The Giving USA Foundation, which publishes data and trends about charitable giving, released its annual report on philanthropy for 2008. The report shows that in 2008, contributions of $307.65 billion were given. Only 14 percent of the contributions were from foundations, which totaled to $41.21 billion.

See the chart below for the complete breakdown of charitable giving in the U.S. during 2008.

The preceding graph is from the GivingUSA Foundation's 2009 annual report: Giving USA 2009 The Annual Report for Philanthropy for year 2008, released this year.

Today, the Greater Wichita chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals gathered in celebration of National Philanthropy Day to honor six individuals or organizations. Knight Foundation was given the award for Outstanding Foundation of the year.

According to the Wichita Eagle, "National Philanthropy Day acknowledges the services provided by the nonprofit community and recognizes the impact that philanthropy has on society."

A few weeks ago, Duke University's Sanford Institute of Public Policy convened a small group to explore nonprofit media ownership models.

Knight Foundation's Director of Evaluation Mayur Patel spoke with Stanford Knight Fellow Andrew Haeg about networks, philanthropy, and assets:

Do you agree that networks of people are as valuable as traditional financial assets?

How do you think philanthropies and nonprofits could best nurture these assets if so?

Knight Foundation President Alberto Ibargüen addresses the economic outlook in a video (here's the transcript): Some key points are listed below the video.

First, let me repeat what we've discussed with many of you individually: while we have taken our losses, the foundation remains quite strong.

I'm especially pleased to be able to assure you that Knight Foundation will honor all existing pledges and grants. We foresee no liquidity issues for the Foundation.

We've been well served by a long-standing policy of asset diversification, directed by an outstanding Investment Committee and our outside investment manager.

And we expect to be well positioned when the markets recover.

Thoughts? Other things you would like answered? Let us know in the comments.

From the archive, Knight CEO and president Alberto Ibargüen interviewed Muhammad Yunus at the Poder Philanthropy Forum on March 12, 2008.

Founder of Grameen Bank Yunus and Ibargüen discussed certainty, freedom, and the dreams of flower children, among other things:

What would you ask Muhammad Yunus?