Americans gave more to charity in 2025 than in any year on record. The Giving USA 2026 report, released June 23, 2026 by the Giving USA Foundation and researched by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, found that total charitable giving in the United States reached $617.20 billion in 2025. That is the first time giving has ever crossed the $600 billion mark, and it matters to anyone who raises money, from national nonprofits down to the PTA table at back to school night. The headline number is great news. The details underneath it are more complicated, and they carry real lessons for schools, clubs, teams, charities, and event organizers heading into the fall fundraising season.
What the report actually found
Giving USA is the longest running annual report on American charitable giving, and its release is the closest thing the fundraising world has to a yearly census. According to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy announcement, total giving grew 5.7 percent in current dollars over 2024, which works out to a 3.0 percent increase after inflation.
Here is where the money came from. Individual donors gave $394.2 billion, up 4.1 percent. Foundations gave $117.15 billion, up 5.7 percent. Bequests, meaning gifts left in wills and estates, jumped 19.7 percent to $62.19 billion, the largest increase of any source. Corporations gave $43.67 billion, up 3.1 percent.
And here is where it went. Education was one of the year's biggest winners, growing 11.7 percent to $92.01 billion. Public society benefit organizations grew 11.6 percent and environment and animal causes grew 11.0 percent. Religion remained the single largest recipient category at $151.58 billion, though it grew a modest 2.4 percent.
Associated Press coverage of the report added another striking detail: roughly $19.2 billion of individual giving came from megagifts, defined as single gifts of more than $600 million, with MacKenzie Scott alone accounting for $6.65 billion. Strong stock market performance helped push totals up even as federal budget cuts squeezed many nonprofits. Giving USA chair Wendy McGrady told the AP that organizations "that were effective in sharing their story saw their donors respond."
The catch: fewer people are doing the giving
The record total hides a trend that should concern every small and mid sized fundraiser. As the BBB Wise Giving Alliance noted in its July analysis, individual donors supplied 64 percent of all giving in 2025, down from roughly 80 percent in the late 1980s. Individual giving as a share of disposable personal income has fallen to 1.7 percent, well below its peaks of 2.4 percent in 2000 and 2005. In plain terms, the giving pie is bigger than ever, but a shrinking group of wealthy donors, foundations, and estates is contributing a growing share of it, while everyday household participation keeps narrowing.
That is why professional fundraisers reacted to the record with caution rather than celebration. The Association of Fundraising Professionals urged organizations to respond by diversifying revenue streams, strengthening long term donor relationships, and reducing reliance on any single funding source.
What this means for your fundraiser
If you run fundraisers for a school, club, team, charity, or community event, the report points to a few practical conclusions.
First, the money is out there. Total giving is at an all time high, education related giving grew faster than almost any other category, and donors rewarded organizations that told their story clearly. If your group has been hesitant to ask this fall, the data says people are still willing to give when they understand exactly who benefits.
Second, do not count on donations alone. The steady decline in everyday household giving means the classic pure donation appeal is reaching a smaller pool of participating families each year. Groups that thrive are the ones offering supporters something in return, whether that is an event, a product, or ongoing value. This is exactly the gap product based fundraising fills. A platform like Donacelet is built for this environment: supporters buy a wristband, keychain, or virtual support code that gives them member only Deals Access they keep using long after the fundraiser ends, referred sales carry a 65 to 75 percent margin that goes directly to your group, there are no upfront costs, and setup takes about 5 minutes. When a purchase feels like a good deal rather than a pure ask, you can reach families who no longer respond to donation requests.
Third, tell a specific story. The clearest thread in the report is that specificity wins. "Support our school" is weak. "Fund new warmups for the 32 kids on the JV hockey roster" is strong. Make sure every appeal names the group, the goal, and what the money buys.
Fourth, start earlier. With more organizations chasing a narrowing base of household donors, the groups that launch their fall campaigns in August and September will beat the ones that wait for November. Registration windows, back to school nights, and early season team meetings are your best moments to get in front of families before appeal fatigue sets in.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Giving USA report?
Giving USA is the longest running annual report on charitable giving in the United States, published by the Giving USA Foundation and researched by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The 2026 edition, covering calendar year 2025, was released on June 23, 2026.
How much did Americans give to charity in 2025?
Total giving reached $617.20 billion, the first time it has ever exceeded $600 billion. That represents 5.7 percent growth in current dollars and 3.0 percent growth after inflation.
Which causes saw the biggest increases?
Education led the way with 11.7 percent growth to $92.01 billion, followed closely by public society benefit organizations at 11.6 percent and environment and animal causes at 11.0 percent.
If giving hit a record, why are fundraisers worried?
Because participation is narrowing. Individual donors now supply 64 percent of giving, down from about 80 percent in the late 1980s, and giving as a share of household income has fallen to 1.7 percent. More of the total is coming from megagifts, foundations, and bequests, which small groups rarely receive.
What should a PTA, booster club, or team do differently this year?
Start your campaign earlier in the school year, name a specific goal in every appeal, and add at least one fundraiser that gives supporters real value in return for their money instead of relying only on donation asks.
Where can I learn more about running a fundraiser?
The Donacelet FAQ covers how product based fundraisers work, how money gets to your specific group, and how to get set up in a few minutes.
