Through the Numbers: Giving USA 2018 Results

On this Special Edition of the Futures in Fundraising Podcast, Alexander Haas President and CEO, David King breaks down the numbers in newly released Giving USA 2018: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2017.

Here’s a quick look at the Giving USA numbers for 2017.

Charitable Giving by Source:

1. Giving by individuals totaled an estimated $286.65 billion, rising 5.2% in 2017 (an increase of 3.0%, adjusted for inflation).
2. Giving by foundations increased 6.0%, to an estimated $66.90 billion in 2017 (an increase of 3.8%, adjusted for inflation). Data on foundation giving are provided by the Foundation Center.
3. Giving by bequest totaled an estimated $35.70 billion in 2017, increasing 2.3% from 2016 (a 0.2% increase, adjusted for inflation).
4. Giving by corporations is estimated to have increased by 8.0% in 2017, totaling $20.77 billion (an increase of 5.7%, adjusted for inflation).

Charitable Giving to Recipients:

• Giving to religion increased 2.9% (0.7% adjusted for inflation), receiving an estimated $127.37 billion in contributions.
• Giving to education is estimated to have increased 6.2% (4.0% adjusted for inflation) to $58.90 billion.
• Giving to human services increased by an estimated 5.1% (2.9% adjusted for inflation) totaling $50.06 billion.
• Giving to [grant-making] foundations is estimated to have increased by 15.5% (13.1% adjusted for inflation) to $45.89 billion, based on data provided by the Foundation Center.
• Giving to health organizations is estimated to have increased by 7.3% (5.1% adjusted for inflation) to $38.27 billion.
• Giving to public-society benefit organizations increased an estimated 7.8% (5.5% adjusted for inflation) to $29.59 billion.
• Giving to arts, culture, and humanities is estimated to have increased 8.7% (6.5%) to $19.51 billion.
• Giving to international affairs is estimated to have declined 4.4% (6.4% adjusted for inflation) to $22.97 billion.
• Giving to environment and animal organizations is estimated to have increased 7.2% (5.0% adjusted for inflation) to $11.83 billion.