The latest Giving USA: The Annual Report for Philanthropy was released this week, showing total giving of $592.45 billion in 2024. Giving USA is published by the Giving Institute with research conducted by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. As reported by both the Chronicle of Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Times, this shows a 6.3% growth over the previous year, 3.3% when adjusted for inflation. While the total amount of charitable giving has increased compared to the previous year, the share from individual donors has dropped from 82% in 1984 to just 66% in 2024, reflecting a steady decline in the number of U.S. households contributing to charity. Religion continues to be the largest recipient of donations at 23% of all giving.

According to Giving USA, the $592.50 billion in charitable contributions comes from the following sources:

Individuals – 66% - $392.45 billion
Foundations – 19% - $109.81 billion
Bequests – 8% - $45.84 billion
Corporations – 7% - 44.40 billion

The distribution of funds by type of organization is:

Religion – 23% - 146.54 billion
Human services – 14% - 91.15 billion
Education – 14% - 88.32 billion
Gifts to grantmaking foundations – 11% - $71.92 billion
Public-society benefit – 11% - 66.84 billion
Health – 10% - $60.51 billion
International affairs – 6% - $35.54 billion
Arts, culture & humanities – 4% - $25.13 billion
To individuals* – 4% - $23.59 billion
Environment and animals – 3% - $21.57 billion

*Giving to individuals is primarily giving by pharmaceutical companies directly to patients.

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• American Heart Association
• Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
• Prevent Cancer Foundation

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.