We just had a happy moment at my job.  In a sign of the steady growth in online giving, even amid the recent recession, Network for Good has now processed over $300 million in online donations to more than 50,000 charities since we got started.  This year, we’ve distributed money to 60% more charities than last year.  The average Network for Good nonprofit is raising the same dollar amounts as in 2008, through more, smaller gifts.  To illustrate, the total number of donations through Network for Good is up 92% year to date, but the dollar value of those donations is up 43% compared to last year.

That is good news.

My colleague Kate Olsen has observed the following trends:

•The economy is fragile, but giving online is going strong.  Network for Good is seeing double the number of donations this year, just at lower dollar amounts than in years past.  The growth in online giving is particularly encouraging in comparison to offline giving trends.

•Recurring gifts are a lifeline to nonprofits during a recession.  A steady number of donors are setting up automatic mont