While headlines tout a world pulling back, a tidal wave of generosity tells the true story: from record-breaking foundations in the U.S. to a remarkable 90% of Indonesians helping strangers, people across the globe are giving more than ever to support the causes they hold dear.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, total charitable giving in the United States reached $499.33 billion, representing a 3.4% increase in current dollars but a 10.5% decline inflation-adjusted from 2021
- Globally, the World Giving Index reported that 36% of the world's population donated money to charity in 2022, up from 33% pre-pandemic
- UK charitable donations totaled £12.7 billion in 2022/23, a 9% increase from the previous year driven by major gifts
- US giving to religion was $132.22 billion in 2022, 27% of total charitable gifts
- Individuals accounted for 67% of US charitable giving in 2022, totaling $369.58 billion
- Foundations gave $103.53 billion in the US in 2022, up 6.9% from prior year
- US giving to human services organizations was $74.02 billion in 2022, 15% of total
- Education received $84.84 billion in US donations in 2022, down 8.3% inflation-adjusted
- Health organizations got $46.64 billion in US giving in 2022, up 4.2%
- Boomers (age 57-75) gave 22% of US total donations in 2022, averaging $5,200 per donor
- Millennials donated $125 billion globally in 2022, 40% via digital platforms
- Women in US gave 28% more than men on average in 2022, per household data
- US giving grew 12.1% nominally from 2019-2022 despite pandemic disruptions
- Online giving surged 13% annually from 2020-2023, reaching 10% of total US donations
- Donor-advised funds grants rose 6% yearly average 2018-2022 to $34.38 billion
Giving varies globally but individuals consistently remain philanthropy's largest driving force.
Demographic Breakdowns
- Boomers (age 57-75) gave 22% of US total donations in 2022, averaging $5,200 per donor
- Millennials donated $125 billion globally in 2022, 40% via digital platforms
- Women in US gave 28% more than men on average in 2022, per household data
- Households earning $100k-$250k gave 4.2% of income to charity in 2022 US survey
- African Americans donated $35 billion in 2022, 50% more than prior decade average
- 65% of Gen Z donated in 2022, highest rate among generations at $500 average
- Rural US households gave 4.8% of income vs 2.1% urban in 2022
- College-educated donors gave 2x more than non-grads in 2022 US data
- Married couples donated 75% more than singles in 2022 surveys
- Hispanic Americans increased giving by 15% to $25 billion in 2022
- Gen X (43-56) donated 18% of US total in 2022, averaging $3,800 per household
- Low-income households (<$50k) gave 4.5% of income to charity in 2022 US, higher rate than wealthy
- Asian Americans donated $20 billion in 2022, growing 10% YoY
- 55% of parents with children under 18 donated monthly in 2022 surveys
- Southern US states had highest giving rates at 5.2% of income in 2022
- Self-employed individuals gave 30% more than employed in 2022 data
- LGBTQ+ donors contributed $15 billion in 2022, focused on equality causes
- Veterans donated $5 billion to military causes in 2022 US
- Empty nesters increased giving by 15% post-2022 retirement wave
- Urban millennials gave 2x more to international causes than rural peers 2022
Demographic Breakdowns Interpretation
While Boomers still write the biggest checks, the future of giving is a vibrant, digital mosaic where generosity defies stereotypes, proving that whether you're a rural retiree, a Gen Z activist, or a low-income family, the impulse to give is woven deeply into the American fabric, just through different threads.
Giving by Donor Type
- US giving to religion was $132.22 billion in 2022, 27% of total charitable gifts
- Individuals accounted for 67% of US charitable giving in 2022, totaling $369.58 billion
- Foundations gave $103.53 billion in the US in 2022, up 6.9% from prior year
- Bequests contributed $42.88 billion to US charities in 2022, a record high
- Corporate giving in the US was $29.48 billion in 2022, including 75% in-kind donations
- High-net-worth individuals (HNI) in India donated ₹11,000 crore in FY22, up 50%
- Family foundations in Europe gave €25 billion annually, per 2022 data
- Employee giving programs in Fortune 500 companies raised $1.2 billion in 2022
- Community foundations worldwide managed $1 trillion in assets in 2022, distributing $50 billion
- Retail investors via donor-advised funds (DAFs) contributed $48.7 billion in 2022 in US
- Religion sector in US received $132.22 billion in 2022, down 2.5% inflation-adjusted
- Family businesses donated $20 billion globally in 2022, per UBS report
- Grantmaking public charities gave $97.66 billion in US 2022
- Planned giving via wills contributed 9% of US total donations in 2022
- US corporations provided $21.58 billion in cash gifts in 2022, excluding in-kind
- Ultra-high-net-worth philanthropists (>$50M assets) gave $150 billion globally 2022
- Corporate foundations distributed $15 billion in US 2022
- Volunteerism valued at $122.9 billion equivalent in US giving 2022
- Impact investing by philanthropists hit $1.16 trillion AUM in 2022
- Community foundations granted $8.5 billion in US 2022, up 5%
Giving by Donor Type Interpretation
Americans may have lost a bit of their religious fervor, but the rest of their charitable spirit remains astonishingly robust and complex, spanning from the billions donated by everyday individuals to the trillion-dollar ambitions of impact investing.
Giving by Recipient Type
- US giving to human services organizations was $74.02 billion in 2022, 15% of total
- Education received $84.84 billion in US donations in 2022, down 8.3% inflation-adjusted
- Health organizations got $46.64 billion in US giving in 2022, up 4.2%
- International affairs aid from US totaled $28.45 billion in 2022, 6% growth
- Arts, culture, and humanities received $19.02 billion in US 2022 donations
- Environment and animals sector got $13.84 billion in US giving 2022, up 21.1%
- Public-society benefit organizations received $40.51 billion in US 2022
- Youth and family services worldwide received $50 billion in 2022, per CAF
- Disaster relief donations spiked to $5 billion globally post-Ukraine invasion in 2022
- Mental health charities saw 25% donation increase to $10 billion globally in 2022
- Education subsector K-12 received $45 billion in US 2022 donations
- Higher education got $39.84 billion in US 2022, down 13.1% adjusted
- Hospitals and health orgs received $40.45 billion in US 2022
- Social services got $55.92 billion in US donations 2022
- Animal welfare charities received $8.5 billion globally 2022, up 10%
- Environmental causes worldwide got $25 billion in 2022
- Humanitarian aid to Ukraine totaled $4.5 billion private donations 2022
- Sports and recreation charities received $2 billion in US 2022
- Religious international aid got $10 billion globally 2022
- Children and youth orgs received $30 billion worldwide 2022
Giving by Recipient Type Interpretation
Our giving is fickle, lavishing billions on the bleeding edge of compassion while the fundamental pillars of society quietly atrophy.
Total Giving Amounts
- In 2022, total charitable giving in the United States reached $499.33 billion, representing a 3.4% increase in current dollars but a 10.5% decline inflation-adjusted from 2021
- Globally, the World Giving Index reported that 36% of the world's population donated money to charity in 2022, up from 33% pre-pandemic
- UK charitable donations totaled £12.7 billion in 2022/23, a 9% increase from the previous year driven by major gifts
- In 2021, Indian philanthropy reached ₹2.5 lakh crore (approximately $33 billion USD), with a 20% year-over-year growth
- Canadian giving amounted to CAD 10.3 billion in 2022, down 3.2% from 2021 after inflation adjustment
- Australia's total giving hit AUD 13.6 billion in 2022, with a 7.4% increase nominally
- In 2022, European philanthropic giving exceeded €100 billion, led by Germany and France
- Brazil's formal philanthropy reached R$20 billion in 2021, growing 15% annually
- South African giving totaled R15 billion in 2022, with individual donations comprising 60%
- In 2023, global crowdfunding for charity surpassed $2 billion on platforms like GoFundMe
- In 2022, total charitable giving in the United States reached $499.33 billion, with individuals contributing the largest share at 67%
- The CAF World Giving Index 2023 showed Indonesia topping with 90% of people helping strangers, boosting global average
- France's donations grew to €9.2 billion in 2022, up 4% driven by tax incentives
- China's philanthropy reported ¥200 billion in 2022, with tech billionaires leading
- Germany gave €14.5 billion via foundations in 2022, steady post-COVID
- Japan's giving totaled ¥1.2 trillion in 2022, focused on disaster relief
- Mexico's philanthropy hit MXN 100 billion in 2022, up 12% YoY
- Turkey donations surged 30% to TRY 50 billion post-earthquake in 2023
- Nigeria's giving estimated at NGN 500 billion in 2022, informal channels dominant
- Global venture philanthropy investments reached $15 billion in 2022
Total Giving Amounts Interpretation
While the global spirit of giving proves remarkably resilient, rising nominally in many nations, the sobering truth is that inflation's bite means our generosity often requires a heroic effort just to keep pace with need.
Trends Over Time
- US giving grew 12.1% nominally from 2019-2022 despite pandemic disruptions
- Online giving surged 13% annually from 2020-2023, reaching 10% of total US donations
- Donor-advised funds grants rose 6% yearly average 2018-2022 to $34.38 billion
- Global giving index score rose from 36% in 2021 to 38% in 2023 post-recovery
- Corporate matching gifts doubled from $1 billion in 2015 to $2 billion in 2022
- Recurring donations grew 25% from 2020-2022 on digital platforms
- Inflation-adjusted US giving declined 2.1% average 2018-2022 amid economic pressures
- Mobile giving increased 20% yearly 2019-2023, now 15% of digital donations
- Major gifts over $1M tripled in US from 2000-2022, totaling $80 billion annually
- DAF usage grew 15% annually 2017-2022, holding $229 billion in assets
- Text-to-give donations rose 300% from 2019-2023 during disasters
- Matching gift participation increased from 5% to 8% of donors 2018-2022
- Global helping strangers rate hit 52% in 2023, highest since 2019
- Crypto donations to charity reached $2.5 billion cumulative by 2023
- Stock donations via DAFs up 20% YoY in 2022, avoiding capital gains tax
- Post-COVID volunteer hours rebounded 12% by 2023 to 5 billion annually US
- ESG-linked corporate giving rose 25% from 2020-2023
- Peer-to-peer fundraising grew 18% annually 2019-2023 on platforms
Trends Over Time Interpretation
Even amidst economic headwinds and inflationary pressures, the enduring—and sometimes bewildering—American spirit of generosity has cleverly adapted, finding new digital, strategic, and tax-savvy channels to ensure that the urge to help others not only survives but evolves.
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