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In a year shaped by uncertainty, one thing remains consistent: Americans still want to give. But how their generosity shows up is changing.
This year’s data demonstrates a continued preference for giving closer to home. Nearly all surveyed U.S. donors support domestic causes, with a strong preference for local organizations. By comparison, only a small share give to international causes. This reinforces a preference for proximity, but also presents a real opportunity for global organizations to build stronger visibility and trust across borders.
A majority of Americans continue to donate, help others, or volunteer, which is an encouraging sign that the intent to give has not disappeared and their generosity is still thriving, even as financial pressures increase. The data shows the impact of these pressures with a slightly smaller share of donor income being donated, and more non-donors reporting that they simply cannot afford to give right now.
Motivations to give have also shifted, with fewer donors pointing to personal connection as their primary reason for giving, and slightly more saying they give because they were asked. This is a small change, however it highlights how important outreach and clear engagement strategies have become.
With all of this in mind, giving is not going away — it is becoming more intentional, and guided by trust. This year, transparency and clarity matter more than ever, especially in a tighter financial environment. As giving evolves, Americans continue to prioritise their communities, focusing their support where they feel it can make the most immediate difference.
How often did you give money away in 2025, either to charity, a person or family in need, or to a religious organisation?
The average proportion of income people gave to each of the three donation routes, and overall.
What would you say are the main reasons that you gave / did not give money away in 2025?
Which cause(s) did you donate to / do unpaid voluntary work for in 2025?
Of the total value of your donations to charities in 2025, approximately how much went to each of the following?
To what extent, if at all, have charities had a positive or negative impact in your local community, or have they made no difference?
For the last charity that you gave money to, how did you first find out about them?
How trustworthy do you tend to find each of these types of charities?
How could charities encourage you to donate in 2026?
Of the xx% that did unpaid, voluntary work in 2025 that benefitted people other than their family or friends, how many shifts did they do?
Think about the opportunities you have to get involved in making positive changes to society (whether locally or further afield). Which best describes your perspective?
"The Government encourages people to give to charity." Do you...
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) exists to accelerate progress in society towards a fair and sustainable future for all. Over the last 100 years, we have led the way in developing innovative approaches to giving. Annually, we distribute over £1 billion to social purpose organisations around the globe.
As a leading charity operating from the UK, US and Canada, alongside an international network of partners, CAF works at the centre of the giving world. We collaborate with corporate and individual donors to enable them to give more effectively, strategically and impactfully. This includes connecting them to charities globally and providing access to our in-depth sector knowledge, governance expertise and innovative giving solutions.
We help social purpose organisations to strengthen their resilience and do more of their life changing work, through strategic advisory services from our Impact Accelerator, tools to support charities’ fundraising activities, and charity financial services from CAF Bank Limited and CAF Financial Solutions Limited. Using our research, policy and campaigns work, we understand and influence the wider environment for charities and donors.
Together, we give more.
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) exists to accelerate progress in society towards a fair and sustainable future for all. Over the last 100 years, we have led the way in developing innovative approaches to giving. Annually, we distribute over £1 billion to social purpose organisations around the globe.
As a leading charity operating from the UK, US and Canada, alongside an international network of partners, CAF works at the centre of the giving world. We collaborate with corporate and individual donors to enable them to give more effectively, strategically and impactfully. This includes connecting them to charities globally and providing access to our in-depth sector knowledge, governance expertise and innovative giving solutions.
We help social purpose organisations to strengthen their resilience and do more of their life changing work, through strategic advisory services from our Impact Accelerator, tools to support charities’ fundraising activities, and charity financial services from CAF Bank Limited and CAF Financial Solutions Limited. Using our research, policy and campaigns work, we understand and influence the wider environment for charities and donors.
Together, we give more.
