By the Numbers: US Giving in 2024
Get ready for a burst of optimism: 2024 was a standout year for philanthropy! According to the Giving USA 2025 report, total charitable giving surged to an impressive $592.50 billion, marking a 6.3% increase in current dollars, and for the first time in three years, giving outpaced inflation, rising 3.3% after adjustment. That’s real momentum in action.
Let’s break it down by who’s giving: individual donors led the charge, contributing $392.45 billion, up 8.2% (5.1% inflation‑adjusted). As we share with clients in our Fundamentals of Philanthropy training, individual donor generosity continues to fuel the philanthropic engine. Corporate giving also set records, climbing 9.1% (6.0% adjusted) to $44.4 billion. Foundations chipped in too, with $109.81 billion, a 2.4% rise (virtually flat after inflation). Bequests, though steady, dipped 1.6% (down 4.4% adjusted).
Where did the money flow? Public‑society benefit, international affairs, and education saw impressive growth, each rebounded sharply, with gains ranging from 10–16% inflation‑adjusted. Meanwhile, four sectors including education, health, arts/culture, and environment/animals, hit all‑time highs even when adjusted for inflation!
Interestingly, religious giving, though still the largest single share at about 23%, experienced a slight decline (around –1%) after adjusting for inflation. This points to a wider and concerning trend within faith-based organizations of declining membership and lower levels of attendee engagement.
Why this matters: 2024 brought the philanthropic world back in sync with long-term patterns. Markets flourished, GDP grew, and donors responded, especially individuals and corporations showing up in force. At SSP, we feel it also reinforces our belief in the power of trust-based relationships with decision-makers across all donor types.
This resurgence underscores American generosity’s resilience. Nonprofits, take note: compelling stories and strategic engagement are paying off, donors are listening, and their support is soaring. Here’s to riding that wave of momentum into 2025 and beyond! And…thanks as always to Giving USA and the Lily School for scanning the trends, compiling the data, and sharing news this time each year. Interested in going deeper, co-creating a training for your organization’s leaders, or adapting your strategies to new knowledge? You know where to find us!