Contributions headed down this year.

• Position: Charities - Survey - Statistical data

Although most Americans plan to continue to support their favorite charities this holiday season, more than two-fifths say they will not contribute to other organizations they have supported in the past or new ones, likely leading to a softening of support for charities, based on a study of donors by Campbell Rinker/Dunham+Company, Plane, Texas, which asked individuals what they intend to give compared to last year in four categories: their favorite charities; charities they have supported in the past but not their favorite charity; houses of worship; and charities they never have supported before.

Some 79% say they will give the same as last holiday season to their favorite charities. However, 15% insist they will reduce giving in that area. Six percent contend they will give more.

When it comes to supporting charities that are not their favorite but they have supported before, 42% relate that they will be pulling back on their giving compared to last year. The outlook is even worse for charities that donors never have supported before, as 46% profess that, compared to last year, they are less likely to support those charities.

Even houses of worship can expect a decrease, as 23% report they will give less...