Bloomberg.com: U.S.

Bloomberg.com: U.S.: "`Corporate philanthropy had a terrific year in 2005 in terms of companies stretching beyond their budgets to reach out to victims of natural disasters around the world,'' said Margaret Coady, who wrote the report. In 2006, she added, more companies ``went beyond their stretch year than didn't.'' Comparing charitable giving among a group of 97 companies, the New York-based CECP found that the median total last year was $32.6 million, up from $29.5 million in 2005. The report noted that increased donations by financial and computer- services companies helped offset cuts by manufacturers."