American giving hit $617 billion in 2025 — and the Paul Allen effect exposes who’s really driving it

U.S. charitable giving rose 3% in 2025, surpassing $600 billion for the first time.Recommended Video The $617 billion that Americans gave to everything from churches to cat rescues was the second-highest ever in inflation-adjusted terms, but it fell short of the record set in 2021, when there was a burst of social services giving in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth was slightly faster than the long-term annual average of 2.7%, thanks to the nation’s relatively strong – if mixed – economy. While the stock market performed well in 2025 and personal income rose, consumer sentiment was extremely low and inflation remained above the Fed’s 2% target.

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