A report recently released by the Giving USA Foundation and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University found charitable giving was on the rise last year, up 4 percent unadjusted for inflation. In total, the study found bequests, individuals, foundations and corporations gave $298.42 billion last year.

Much of the growth was fueled by bequests, which were up 12.2 percent over giving from 2010, the report revealed. In total, gifts from estates represented $24.41 billion. Individual giving showed the second strongest gains, up 3.9 percent in 2011, accounting for $217.79 billion. Foundations increased grantmaking by 1.8 percent last year, totaling $41.67 billion, while donations from corporations were flat at $14.55 billion.

According to the report, education, human services, health, arts and culture, humanities, environmental, animal and international affairs initiatives were up. On the other hand, contributions to religious programs and foundations were down.

Individuals, programs and organizations that rely on fundraising to fuel sustainable operations might find nonprofit fundraising software helpful. The programs can make it easier to identify grant opportunities and generate reports that demonstrate current need and previous successes.