What's happened
A new AP-NORC poll shows about half of Americans have already donated for 2025, with only 24% planning to give before year-end. Economic pressures, inflation, and political factors have contributed to a decline in charitable donations, especially among lower-income households, during a year of economic uncertainty.
What's behind the headline?
The decline in charitable donations in 2025 is driven by multiple economic and political factors. The survey indicates that only 24% of Americans plan to donate before year-end, a significant drop from previous years. The broader economic context, including inflation above the Federal Reserve's target, rising unemployment, and sluggish income gains, has squeezed lower-income households, limiting their capacity to give. Political actions, such as Trump's social services cuts and foreign aid rollbacks, have also diverted attention and resources away from philanthropy. Despite tax incentives introduced by recent legislation, these have not offset the financial strain on many potential donors. The importance of December as a donation deadline remains, but the overall shrinking donor base suggests a long-term trend of reduced giving, which could impact nonprofit funding and social programs. The decline in federal employee donations, which historically contributed over $9 billion since the 1960s, further underscores the economic impact of policy changes. This downward trend in giving is likely to persist unless economic conditions improve and political stability is restored, making 2026 a critical year for the nonprofit sector to adapt to these challenges.
What the papers say
The AP News article by Alexandra Steigrad highlights that about half of U.S. adults have already made their donations for 2025, with only 24% planning to give before year-end. It attributes the decline to economic pressures, inflation, and political factors, including policy changes under the Trump administration that have affected federal employee giving. The NY Post article emphasizes that only 18% of donors plan to give again before the end of the year, with many citing financial constraints due to inflation and rising living costs. Both sources agree that December remains a crucial deadline for charitable contributions, but overall giving is down, reflecting a broader trend of declining donor participation over the past decade. The articles also note that the COVID-19 pandemic's economic fallout and political debates have contributed to this decline, with lower-income households most affected. Despite tax incentives, the economic environment has limited the capacity for charitable giving, and experts warn this trend may continue into 2026 unless economic conditions improve.
How we got here
Recent years have seen a steady decline in American charitable giving, influenced by economic challenges, political debates, and changing donor behaviors. The 2025 survey reflects ongoing financial pressures, including inflation, rising unemployment, and policy impacts, which have reduced disposable income and donation capacity for many Americans. The final month of the year remains critical for charities, with nearly one-third of annual giving occurring in December, but overall donations are down compared to previous years.
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Common question
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Why Are Americans Donating Less in 2025?
Charitable giving in the U.S. has seen a noticeable decline in 2025. Many wonder what's behind this trend—are economic pressures, inflation, or political factors playing a role? In this page, we explore the reasons for the drop in donations, who is most affected, and whether giving might rebound in the future. If you're curious about the state of philanthropy today, keep reading to find clear answers to your questions.
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Stay updated with the latest major headlines shaping the world today. From legal battles involving tech giants to local incidents and shifts in charitable giving, these stories are influencing politics, society, and everyday life. Curious about what’s happening globally and how it might affect you? Read on for a comprehensive roundup of the top news stories and answers to your most pressing questions.
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