US Charitable Giving Declined in 2022 Despite Steady Donors

Total U.S. charitable giving fell to 499.33 billion dollars in 2022, a decline of 3.4 percent in current dollars and 10.5 percent adjusted for inflation, following two consecutive record years.

Giving by individuals dropped the most, falling to 319.04 billion dollars, down 6.4 percent in current dollars and 13.4 percent after inflation.

Foundations, bequests, and corporations each rose modestly in current dollars but slipped once inflation was factored in, with foundations reaching 105.21 billion dollars.

Religion remained the largest recipient sector at 143.57 billion dollars, while public society benefit and education saw some of the sharpest sector declines.

The pullback tracked a harsh economy, including a 19.4 percent drop in the S&P 500, roughly flat disposable income, and inflation near a 40 year high of 8 percent.

Even so, Americans gave nearly half a trillion dollars, and researchers led by Lilly Family School of Philanthropy dean Amir Pasic warned that such declines carry a tangible impact on nonprofits that depend on charitable dollars.

The 2022 dip proved a blip for totals and a trend for participation. Giving USA's June 23, 2026 report put 2025 giving at a record $617.20 billion, up 5.7 percent, per the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Bequests carried the year, up 19.7 percent, while individuals' share of all giving has slid to 64 percent from 80 percent in the late 1980s: markets lifted the wealthy and ordinary donors kept drifting away. Congress now pays small givers to return. From tax year 2026 standard deduction filers can deduct $1,000 ($2,000 joint), while itemizers lose the first 0.5 percent of AGI, per Kiplinger. Whether the carrot beats the floor shows up when 2026 returns are filed by April 2027.