Philanthropic Trends

In This Section

Last updated: July 9, 2026

The philanthropic landscape is constantly evolving, shaped by broader economic, social, and cultural forces, as well as by fiscal policy. This page features timely research and insights on fundraising performance, everyday giving habits, volunteerism, and the future of philanthropy.

Resources include data on recent giving trends, studies exploring how to strengthen civic engagement and generosity, and research on how changing conditions are influencing donor behavior and the next generation of philanthropic leadership.

Resources

A newly released Giving USA report shows total charitable giving reached $617.20 billion in 2025—representing a 5.7% increase in current dollars (3% adjusted for inflation).

New data from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) shows that total charitable dollars raised grew by an estimated 5.0% (±0.5%) in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the strongest growth the sector has seen in five years. At the same time, the number of donors declined by 3.6% (±0.5%), continuing a downward trend that began in 2021. Also find the latest FEP quarterly report here.

The Generosity Commission studies giving, volunteering, and civil society participation, and provides research and insights about how to better support and enable everyday giving.

The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy offers research on timely topics, including recent reports on giving in uncertain times and the next generation of philanthropy.

The Benefactor Group’s president and past chair of Giving USA, Laura MacDonald, has authored The Tax Bill Will Upend Corporate Giving. Here’s How to Prepare and The Tax Code Is Changing; How Will Donors Respond?, and was interviewed for the article How to Talk About Tax-Law Changes in Year-End Appeals.

CCS Fundraising and Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy partnered to present the March 2026 webinar, “2025 H.R. 1 and the Impact on Philanthropy.” The report Philanthropy Outlook 2026: Estimating Effects on Charitable Giving from the One Big Beautiful Bill, examines how tax reform policies may influence household and corporate giving.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals provides very helpful overviews and donor-facing materials to help activate the broad base of donors that do not itemize tax returns and will now be able to access the tax deduction for giving in 2026.