Donors gave U.S. charities $617 billion in 2025, according to Giving USA report

Donors gave U.S. charities $617 billion in 2025, according to the Giving USA 2026 report, citing an inflation-adjusted 3% increase from the prior year. The report says bequests rose nearly 17%, marking the third time in four years that this form of giving posted double-digit growth. It attributes the overall increase to stronger markets and large donors, despite disruptions tied to federal cuts, according to Wendy McGrady, chair of Giving USA. Jon Bergdoll, interim director of data and research partnerships at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, said growth in sectors linked to the stock market contributed directly to increases in giving. By cause, education nonprofits rose 8.9%, “public-society benefit” organizations increased 8.7%, and environment and animal nonprofits gained 8.2%. Giving to religious groups was marginally lower, down 0.2% after inflation, while overall support trends continued across most categories.