Donor Trust Report: Public Awareness of Challenges Facing the Charitable Sector in 2025
Topics Covered
In the Give.org Donor Trust Report: Public Awareness of Challenges Facing the Charitable Sector in 2025, we examine public awareness of key pressures affecting charities, including federal funding cuts, new federal interpretations of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the perceived politization of the sector.
Key Findings
Highlights from the report, based on a survey of more than 1,500 U.S. adults, include:
Public Awareness of Federal Funding Cuts:
- Fewer than one in three respondents (32%) were aware of reductions in federal funding for charities in 2025. Younger participants were more likely to believe that charities received increased government funding during that year, with 43% of Gen Alphas, compared to 17% of Boomers, thinking government funding increased.
- Among respondents aware of federal funding cuts for charities in 2025, most (65%) viewed these reductions as either somewhat negative (23%) or very negative (43%).
- 62% agree the significant federal funding cuts for charities impact the most vulnerable populations in the U.S., and 60% agree that these cuts will change the type of causes that can endure or thrive.
Public Perceptions of Federal Interpretations of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Among those aware of changes in federal DEI policies affecting charities, 53% viewed these changes negatively and 44% viewed them positively.
Public Perceptions of Charity Politicization:
- Only 9% of participants disagree with the statement “charities today are more involved in political issues than they were 10 years ago.”
- When asked to place themselves on a scale between two statements: on one end “Charities are primarily engaged in promoting social good causes rather than political agendas,” and on the other “Charities are primarily engaged in political agendas rather than promoting social good causes,” 24% of Boomers, compared to only 13% of Gen Alphas, believe charities are primarily focused on promoting social good causes rather than political agendas.
Infographics
Infographics from the Donor Trust Report: Public Awareness of Challenges Facing the Charitable Sector in 2025.
Are Americans Aware of Challenges Faced by Charities in 2025?
In 2025, charities faced a uniquely challenging year marked by significant reductions in federal funding, new federal interpretations of DEI policies and funding criteria, and rising demand for services, all compounded by political polarization and a declining donor base. Yet, only 32% of participants were aware of these federal funding cuts.
Public Views on the Politicization of Charities
Advocacy by charities is both permitted and important for advancing social good and civic engagement. The IRS allows 501(c)(3) charities to promote mission-aligned causes but limits how much they can spend on lobbying and prohibits participating or intervening in political campaigns. This restriction is known as the Johnson Amendment and remains a cornerstone of the separation between charitable work and electoral politics. Our survey does not suggest that advocacy is problematic but rather explores how public perceptions may shape engagement with the sector.
Download the Full Report (PDF)
Download the full Donor Trust Report: Public Awareness of Challenges Facing the Charitable Sector in 2025.
