The survey, sponsored by the Shanghai Charitable Trust, started on July 25 last year covering 3,877 residents with an average age of 35.9, the eldest of whom was 89 and the youngest 14. The respondents returned 3,747 valid questionnaires.

The results of the survey showed that most respondents made donations through neighbourhood committees in their communities and companies or institutions they worked for.

Most of the surveyed considered it acceptable to donate 500 yuan to charity programs annually, while they actually gave 300 yuan or less every year, according to the survey results.

Three quarters regarded their income as the key factor to decide how much to donate and over 80 percent said they would give more money to charity if their income rose.

According to the survey, 77 percent of residents aged from 35 to 64 had made donations to the Shanghai Charitable Trust. The number was considerably higher than people of other ages.

The survey also showed that many charity programs were poorly promoted and the channel for donations was limited with a lack of volunteers, which restrained people from actively helping.

(People's Daily January 7, 2003)