U.S. Charitable Giving Rose to $617.2 Billion in 2025
Total donations saw a 3% increase after adjusting for inflation, driven largely by strong financial market performance.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Total U.S. charitable giving reached $617.2 billion in 2025, marking a period of growth across multiple sectors. This overall increase was supported by a 4.1% rise in individual giving and a 19.7% jump in bequests.
Why it matters
The surge in charitable contributions was primarily fueled by the strong performance of financial markets, which boosted asset values for donors. This climate allowed for significant philanthropic activity despite shifting priorities within the sector.
Total charitable giving rose 5.7% to $617.2 billion in 2025, with individual donations hitting $394.2 billion and bequests reaching $62.19 billion. Meanwhile, corporate giving totaled $43.67 billion, and donations specifically to education rose 11.7% to $92.01 billion.
The details
While individual and bequest giving trended upward, the landscape saw a notable shift in institutional support, as giving to foundations dropped 16.2% to $79.05 billion. These figures highlight a divergence in how capital was deployed across different philanthropic channels throughout the year.
Timeline
In 2022, foundation giving remained above $100 billion.
A record high for giving to foundations was set in 2024.
Total U.S. charitable giving reached $617.2 billion in 2025.
Market Landscape
The 2025 data marks a significant pivot from the record-setting foundation support seen in 2024. This contraction in institutional giving suggests a broader shift in how assets are being funneled into the philanthropic ecosystem compared to recent historical highs.
The increase in charitable giving may lead to broader support for educational institutions as funding reached $92.01 billion. However, the decline in foundation giving could impact the availability of grants for smaller non-profits that rely on institutional backing.
The takeaway
The rise in total giving highlights how closely philanthropic trends are tied to the performance of personal investment portfolios. Donors interested in maximizing their impact should monitor how market fluctuations influence the timing of their charitable contributions.
Further reading
For more on trends in donor behavior, visit the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Business Journal.
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