The Giving Institute recently published its annual Giving USA report, which provides detailed insights into the trends and statistics of charitable donation trends in the U.S. Researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis, Giving USA remains one of the most rigorous data sources for estimating total charitable giving in the U.S. each year, using the most up-to-date data and methodological approaches available.
The Annual Report on Philanthropy shows that individuals, bequests, foundations, and corporations giving to U.S. charities reached $592.50 billion in 2024.
Key Takeaways
- Charitable giving in the U.S. reached $592.50 billion in 2024, supported by strong economic conditions and stock market growth.
- Individuals remain the largest source of giving (66%), followed by foundations (19%), bequests (8%), and corporations (7%).
- Total giving grew 6.3%, and for the first time in three years, charitable giving outpaced inflation.
- Top recipient sectors were religion (23%), education (14%), and human services (14%), with education and human services seeing strong real growth.
- International Affairs donations saw the largest proportional increase (17.7%), driven by global humanitarian needs.
- Friends of Fondation de France connects U.S. donors to impactful international giving, supporting emergency relief, education, research, culture, and more.
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Who Gave in 2024
Total giving grew by 6.3%, strongly supported by last year’s robust economy. A strong stock market and GDP growth created a favorable environment for increased individual giving, which saw the largest rise, up 8.2% (5.1% when adjusted for inflation). The financial stability driven by market gains also boosted corporate giving, making individuals and corporations the biggest sources of donations.
Two-thirds of charitable donations came from individuals (66%), followed by foundations (19%), bequests (8%), and corporations (7%).
For the first time in three years, total giving outpaced inflation, thanks to more moderate inflation rates compared to recent years. Still, growth in total giving in 2024 aligned with the 40-year average of 5.5% in current dollars.
Who Received the Most
Donations to all sectors increased in current dollars, and when adjusted for inflation, seven out of nine categories still showed growth.
The top recipient sectors were religion (23%), education (14%), and human services (14%). When adjusted for inflation, education and human services saw the largest year-over-year growth, while religion—though still the largest sector—declined slightly in real terms.
In 2024, four out of the nine subsectors reached all-time highs, even after adjusting for inflation: education; health; arts, culture, and humanities; and environment/animals.
The past two years have also seen rising support for international organizations, with significant donations directed toward humanitarian aid in conflict zones.
The Power of International Giving
International Affairs saw the largest proportional growth in 2024, with a 17.7% increase in dollar amount over last year (14.3% when adjusted for inflation). International giving remains a vital tool for global transformation, supporting a wide range of critical initiatives around the world.
At Friends of Fondation de France, international giving is our identity. Thanks to last year’s generosity from U.S. donors, we were able to raise funds for emergency initiatives, including recovery programs led by Fondation de France in Mayotte following Cyclone Chido.
Beyond emergency response, international nonprofits in France and abroad continue to make a lasting impact. Your support fuels meaningful progress in education, research, the arts, cultural heritage, and international development.
Explore the projects we support here.
As a registered 501(c)(3) organization, we make it possible for U.S.-based donors to support causes in France and beyond through tax-deductible gifts. As global giving continues to grow, we remain committed to bridging the gap between American donors and French nonprofits, ensuring the rich tradition of French-American philanthropy thrives for years to come.
To all the donors who trust us to make impactful contributions for the past 25 years—thank you for making a difference.
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