The newly released Giving USA 2026: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2025 offers encouraging news for the charitable sector. Total charitable giving in the United States reached a record $617.2 billion in 2025, surpassing the $600 billion mark for the first time. Giving increased by 5.7% in current dollars and 3.0% after adjusting for inflation, demonstrating the continued resilience of American philanthropy despite economic uncertainty and shifting market conditions.
One of the report's most notable findings was the significant growth in bequest giving, which increased by nearly 20% over the previous year. Foundation giving also remained strong, exceeding $117 billion, while individual and corporate giving both experienced growth. Collectively, these trends point to a philanthropic landscape increasingly influenced by accumulated wealth, strong financial markets, and long-term charitable planning.
For financial planners, wealth advisors, accountants, and attorneys, the report underscores an important reality: charitable giving is becoming a larger and more strategic component of overall financial and estate planning. As clients seek meaningful ways to support causes they care about, professional advisors are uniquely positioned to help them integrate philanthropy into their broader financial goals.
The surge in bequest giving is particularly significant. Many experts view this trend as an early indicator of the historic Great Wealth Transfer, during which trillions of dollars are expected to pass from Baby Boomers to future generations and charitable organizations over the coming decades. Advisors who proactively discuss charitable estate planning can help clients create lasting legacies while potentially achieving tax efficiencies and family wealth-transfer objectives.
The report also highlights growing opportunities for charitable planning using appreciated assets. Strong market performance has increased the value of many clients’ investment portfolios, making gifts of appreciated securities, closely held business interests, and other non-cash assets increasingly attractive. These strategies can provide substantial benefits by helping clients reduce capital gains taxes while maximizing charitable impact.
Additionally, the continued strength of foundation giving reflects the growing sophistication of philanthropic vehicles available to donors. Today's clients are looking beyond simple annual donations and exploring donor-advised funds, endowments, and planned gifts. As charitable planning becomes more complex, collaboration among financial planners, wealth advisors, accountants, and attorneys becomes even more important to ensure clients’ financial, tax, and philanthropic objectives are aligned.
Beyond the numbers, the Giving USA report serves as a reminder that charitable intent remains strong across America. Clients increasingly want their wealth to reflect their values, support their communities, and create lasting impact. For financial planners, wealth advisors, accountants, and attorneys, the message is clear: philanthropy is no longer a peripheral conversation—it is an essential component of comprehensive client planning. By engaging clients in discussions about charitable goals and partnering with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, advisors can help clients maximize both their financial outcomes and their lasting impact on the communities they care about most.
A Trusted Resource for Professional Advisors
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) can be a valuable partner in this work. With expertise in charitable giving strategies, local nonprofit needs, donor-advised funds, endowment creation, and planned giving solutions, CFNOVA helps advisors lead their clients through comprehensive philanthropic planning conversations. Whether a client wishes to support a favorite charity, create a lasting legacy, or maximize the impact of a charitable gift, the Community Foundation serves as a knowledgeable resource and collaborative partner in helping turn philanthropic goals into meaningful community impact.
As always, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia team is available to help you explore charitable planning options and serve as a resource for your clients. Call us at 703-879-7640 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
This material is intended for informational/educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Please contact your financial, tax, and legal professionals for more information specific to your situation.
The Community Foundation team is happy to help you structure charitable giving tools and plans to achieve your clients’ philanthropic goals—whether through beneficiary designations or any other type of charitable giving vehicle. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!
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