Americans Gave Record $617.2 Billion to Charities in 2025 as Bequests Jumped 19.7%
Updated
Updated · The NonProfit Times · Jun 23
Americans Gave Record $617.2 Billion to Charities in 2025 as Bequests Jumped 19.7%
3 articles · Updated · The NonProfit Times · Jun 23
Summary
$617.2 billion flowed to U.S. charities in 2025, up 5.7% from 2024 and ahead of 2.6% inflation, making it a record in current dollars.
$394.2 billion came from individuals—64% of all giving—while strong stock markets and rising asset values helped lift donations across most donor categories.
Bequests posted the biggest gain, rising 19.7% in nominal terms, with Giving USA citing delayed estate settlements such as Paul Allen’s $3.1 billion gift cleared seven years after his death.
Education climbed 11.7% to $92.01 billion, helped by MacKenzie Scott’s reported $1.1 billion in gifts and Phil and Penny Knight’s $2 billion pledge to OHSU.
Religion still drew the largest share at 23%, or $151.58 billion, but experts said its inflation-adjusted giving has barely grown in two decades even as nonprofits worry about fewer donor households.
With philanthropy now dominated by billionaires, what is the future for small charities and community giving?
As new tax laws make it easier to pass on wealth, will the Great Wealth Transfer bypass charities?
U.S. Charitable Giving Hits Record $X Billion in 2025: Wealth Transfer, Policy Shifts, and the Rise of Donor-Advised Funds Reshape Philanthropy
Overview
In 2025, U.S. charitable giving reached a record high, fueled by robust economic performance and strong growth in the S&P 500 and financial markets. This economic strength led to a substantial increase in the wealth and assets of individuals, companies, and foundations, which directly boosted charitable contributions nationwide. Looking ahead, significant policy changes will shape the giving landscape, including a new deduction for non-itemizing taxpayers starting in the 2026 tax year. This allows non-itemizers to deduct up to $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (married joint) for qualifying charitable donations, signaling important shifts for future philanthropy.