The outpouring of private charity to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina and two sister storms now ranks as the most generous in American history, surpassing donations after Sept. 11, according to researchers who track philanthropy.

Americans have donated about $2.97 billion to families affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, said Patrick Rooney, director of research with the University of Indiana's Center on Philanthropy.

That surpasses the $2.8 billion donated after the terrorist attacks of 2001, he said.

Moreover, the center's estimate of storm-giving is certainly low, Rooney said. The center based its estimate on a survey of more than 175 organizations that report storm-related collections and distributions. As a result, it missed the uncountable value of off-radar gifts.

Religion News Service

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