Philanthropy Update

Charitable giving by Americans grew by 6.3% in 2024, to a record $592.50 billion, according to the latest report from Giving USA. Roughly two thirds of the gifts, $392.45 billion, came from individuals, who increased their giving by 8.2%.

All categories of charitable organizations enjoyed increased support, according to the report, as shown in the table below:

Increased charitable gifts, 2024

Organization type

Amount received in 2024

(billions of dollars)

Percentage increase

Religion

$146.54

1.9%

Human Services

$91.15

5.0%

Education

$88.32

9.9%

To foundations

$71.92

3.5%

Public-Society benefit

$66.84

16.1%

Health

$60.51

5.0%

International affairs

$35.54

17.7%

Arts, culture and humanities

$25.13

9.5%

Environment and animals

$21.57

7.7%

Source: Givingusa.org; M.A.Co.

Future tax changes

Under the reconciliation bill signed by President Trump on July 4, beginning next year those who do not itemize their deductions will be able to take an adjustment to income for their charitable donations, up to $1,000 for singles and $2,000 for marrieds filing jointly. 

However, for the itemizers the news is less good. A portion of their charitable deduction will be disallowed, equal to 0.5% of modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). So, for example, a taxpayer with MAGI of $300,000 would only get a deduction to the extent that charitable gifts exceeded $1,500. Some taxpayers may accelerate their giving into the 2025 tax year for maximum tax benefit.

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Legal, Investment and Tax Notice: This information is not intended to be and should not be treated as legal advice or tax advice. Readers should under no circumstances rely upon this information as a substitute for their own research or for obtaining specific legal or tax advice from their own counsel.

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