Americans continued to be generous last year with charitable contributions that went over $300 billion for the first time.

The $306 billion donated by individuals, corporations and foundations was up about 4 percent from the revised $295 billion or about 1 percent when adjusted for inflation.

Individuals accounted for the largest share, donating $229 billion or about 75 percent of the overall contributions, according to Giving USA Foundation, which publishes a yearly report on philanthropy.

Corporations donated about $16 billion. In both categories, it was a slight decline from the previous year, a reflection of the stagnant economy.

Donations by personal foundations, though, rose about 7 percent while personal bequests were up an inflation-adjusted 4 percent.

Religious groups continued to be the major beneficiaries. They received almost one-third of the total, at $102 billion, which was an increase of nearly 2 percent from 2006.

They were followed by educational institutions. Giving to them rose more than 3 percent to $43.32 billion.

Donations to international causes, though, showed the largest gain of about 13 percent to an inflation-adjust $13.22 billion. Of that, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation accounted for almost $1.5 billion.

Giving to foundations, though, decreased almost 12 percent, to $28 billion.

The slow pace of growth has raised some concerns about this year.

But, Richard T. Jolly, former chairman of Giving USA, said, "while it's true that there has been slower growth, the important thing is that there is growth."