Many charities are optimistic about giving in 2006, the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported Jan. 26.

Charitable contributions in 2005 stayed well ahead of inflation, the Chronicle's study of 57 nonprofit organizations found. While Hurricane Katrina relief provided a big boost to giving last year, corporate donations and online giving have maintained growth, as well.

Greater efforts by nonprofits to tailor themselves to their donor's interests and garner better youth support were also cited for the rise, and are expected to continue in 2006. Despite initial worries that corporations would divert their giving in Katrina's wake, corporate outreach has actually increased, said Suzanne Mink, senior vice president for development at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Corporate giving exceeded the WWF's expectations by 500 percent, she said.

Still, some charities, such as the United Way of the Greater Los Angeles area, have seen a decrease in corporate donations this year, raising $800,000 less this year ($15.9 million) than it had at the same time last year. Likewise, the National Parkinson Foundation admitted being $230,000 behind in direct-mail donations from 2005, influenced by the effects of Hurricane's Rita and Wilma on Florida, the source of many donations.