What's happened
In 2025, U.S. charitable giving reached $617 billion, up 3% from 2024. Bequests rose nearly 17%, and megagifts exceeded $600 million, totaling $19.2 billion and led by MacKenzie Scott who contributed about a third of megagift total. Bloomberg, Gates and Allen also rank among megadonors as Giving USA 2026 tracks wealth transfers and donor patterns.
What's behind the headline?
Key takeaways
- Megagifts dominate the giving landscape: In 2025, gifts above 0.1% of total giving totaled $19.2 billion, about 4% of all giving by individuals. MacKenzie Scott accounts for roughly one-third of megagifts.
- Bequests are surging: Inflation-adjusted bequests rose nearly 17%, signaling a potential Great Wealth Transfer as baby boomers pass wealth to heirs and charities.
- Donor behavior tied to markets: A robust stock market and economic growth underpin the uptick, with big donors shaping the trajectory of overall giving.
- Sector winners and losers: Education, public-society benefit and environment/animal nonprofits lead growth; religious giving remains flat after inflation adjustments.
- Uncertainty ahead: Market volatility could inject unpredictability into future giving, as donors' capacity and willingness shift with asset values.
How we got here
Giving USA 2026 synthesizes data from Giving USA and Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, showing a broad rise across donor types amid strong markets. Megagifts and bequests indicate a looming wealth transfer to younger generations and charities, with education and public-society causes among the biggest beneficiaries.
Our analysis
- AP News reports Giving USA 2026, noting a $617B giving total in 2025 and a 17% rise in bequests; megagifts totaled $19.2B, with Scott contributing $6.65B (about a third of megagifts). Publisher: AP News. - The Independent echoes similar figures, highlighting Scott, Bloomberg, Gates and Allen as megadonors and detailing Yield Giving’s role in directing philanthropic funding. Publisher: Independent.
Go deeper
- What does this mean for frontline nonprofits in your area?
- How might market volatility affect large gifts next year?
- Which causes are most at risk if giving slows?
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