Three out of four adults nationwide said the "current economic climate" has affected their charitable giving and one in three is giving less to charities, according to a new study.

The survey released by World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization, said faith-based organizations and non-profit foundations should bear responsibility for helping the world’s poor.

According to the study, one in five adults said they’re now less likely to sponsor a child because of the economy and more than half said they would be more likely to sponsor a child if they had more money. Ten percent said they’re giving more this year, despite the recession.

Still, World Vision Child Sponsorship numbers show a modest increase of 3 percent.

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, represents a definite shift from the charitable mood Americans were in less than a year ago. In late October 2008, seven out of 10 people nationwide said while the worsening economy meant they would probably spend less on holiday shopping, half said they were more inclined to give or receive a charitable gift for the holidays.

"The sputtering economy has made it more difficult for hard working Americans to give what’s on their hearts," said Lana Reda, World Vision’s vice president for donor engagement. "As the economy gets better, we believe Americans will step up to meet the urgent needs of children and families around the world."