Giving USA 2020, the annual report on charitable giving, reported that total giving in the United States in 2019 showed a 2.4% growth over the prior year and reached more than $431.43 billion.
The report, published by Giving USA Foundation and researched by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, is used by charities and fundraising professionals to identify trends and develop strategies for ongoing fundraising initiatives. A summary of the report and details for ordering a complete copy can be found at
GivingUSA.org.
According to the report, giving by individuals grew 2.8% when adjusted for inflation to $309.66 billion, or just below 70% of all charitable giving. The inflation-adjusted growth rate of gifts from foundations was 0.7% or $75.69 billion and represented 17% of total giving to the sector. There was a slight dip of 1.6% in giving through bequests which totaled $43.21 billion in 2019. Giving by corporations grew 11.4% over 2018 giving and totaled $21.09 billion.
There were substantial increases in 2019 giving to charities in the following categories: public-society benefit organizations, education, and groups working in the area of arts, culture or humanities.
Researchers believe that the increases in 2019 giving are attributable to economic conditions and stock market growth as the S&P 500 increased 28.9% and GDP showed a 4.1% growth.