State Of Charitable Giving In America Amidst COVID-19 – Study
COVID-19 impacted most people’s lives in 2020 and will continue to change how we live, work and give in years ahead. With millions of Americans experiencing financial difficulties due to job loss, an overwhelmed health care system and lack of financial support from US government – the need for charitable giving is at an all time high.
This study focuses on discovering how the landscape of charitable giving in America has changed due to COVID-19 and the impeding ramifications on non-profit fund raising in 2021 and beyond. We surveyed 1130 Americans to gage where, when and how they donated their money and time in 2020 and what their charitable giving plans are for 2021.
Below you will find the key findings of this survey study. A further breakdown of the data can be found after the key findings section along with the methodology and demographics at the end. You can skip to each section by clicking on one of the buttons below.
KEY FINDINGS
70.8% of Americans made a donation ($) to charitable organizations in 2020.
87.9% of Americans who did not make a donation ($) to charitable organizations in 2020, cited ‘lack of disposable income’ as the main reason why.
83.5% of Americans indicated that CARES Act’s additional deduction for charitable gifts did not impact the amount ($) they gave to charity in 2020.
2020
70.8% of Americans made a donation ($) to charitable organizations in 2020.
Americans that donated to charities in 2020 gave an average of $348 during the year.
2019
62.3% of Americans made a donation ($) to charitable organizations in 2019.
Americans that donated to charities in 2019 gave an average of $379 during the year.
2020 vs. 2019 Charitable Giving Population
14.5% more individuals made a donation ($) to charity in 2020 compared to 2019.
2020 vs. 2019 Charitable Giving Amount
Average amount donated per individual in 2020 declined by 8.2% compared to 2019.
71.7% of Americans expect to make a donation ($) to charitable organizations in 2021.
Americans that expect to make a donation ($) to charitable organizations in 2021, are projecting to give an average of $396.
Individuals are expecting to increase the average amount donated to charity in 2021 by 13.8% compared to 2020.
30.1% of Americans volunteered for non-profit organizations in 2020.
Americans who volunteered in 2020, spent an average of 49 hours volunteering during they year.
38.1% of Americans are expecting to increase the number of hours they volunteer for a non-profit once COVID-19 vaccine is released to the general public.
DONATING IN 2020
Total number of Americans that donated ($) to charity in 2020 increased by 14.5% compared to 2019 with 70.8% reporting that they made a donation in 2020. However, the average amount donated has declined by 8.2% from $379 to $348 in 2020 compared to 2019. Here are some other important findings we discovered.
83.5% of Americans indicated that CARES Act’s additional deduction for charitable gifts did not increase the amount ($) they gave to charity in 2020.
16.5% of Americans indicated that CARES Act’s additional deduction for charitable gifts made them increase the amount ($) they gave to charity in 2020.
Most Americans (66.2%) made a donation to one or two charitable organizations in 2020. 12.5% of individuals reported donating to three charities and 16.1% reported donating to four charities throughout 2020.
Health focused non-profit organizations attracted the most frequent donations with 55.2% Americans reporting that they made a donation ($) to such causes in 2020 (including COVID-19 related causes). Animal focused non profits attracted 35.1% of individual donations while education, community development and environment were also popular causes among Americans.
No Disposable Income
COVID-19
Helping Family & Friends
Out of the 29.2% of Americans that did not donate ($) to non profits in 2020, 87.9% cited ‘Lack Of Disposable Income’ as the primary cause for not making a donation ($). Another 18.4% and 12.3% cited ‘COVID-19’ and ‘Helping Family & Friends’ as primary reasons for not making a donation ($) in 2020.
VOLUNTEERING IN 2020
30.1% of Americans surveyed indicated that they volunteered for non-profit organizations in 2020 while spending an average of 49 hours volunteering during the year. Here are some other interesting findings with respect to American volunteering in 2020.
Education focused non-profit organizations attracted the most volunteers with 29.4% of Americans that volunteered in 2020 doing so at such non-profit organizations. Religion, poverty and health related non-profits were also popular causes among American volunteers.
Work
No Free Time
COVID-19
Out of the 69.9% of Americans that did not volunteer for non-profits in 2020, 42.6% cited ‘Work’ as the primary reason for not volunteering. Another 22.1% and 18.4% cited ‘No Free Time’ & ‘COVID-19’ as primary reasons for not volunteering in 2020.
38.1% of Americans indicated that they will spend more hours volunteering in 2021 once COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out to the general public.
61.9% of Americans indicated that they will NOT spend more hours volunteering in 2021 once COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out to the general public.
2021 PROJECTIONS
Vast majority of Americans (71.7%) indicated that they expect to make a charitable donation ($) in 2021 with the average amount being given at $396 for the year. While the percentage of Americans planning to donate ($) to non profit organizations is expected to be about the same, the average amount given is projected to increase in 2021 versus 2020.
71.7% of Americans are expecting to make a donation ($) to charitable organizations in 2021.
28.3% of Americans are NOT expecting to make a donation ($) to charitable organizations in 2021.
Health and Animal related non-profit organizations are expected to garner most frequent donations ($) in 2021 at 54.3% and 41.9% Americans indicating their interest in donating to such causes respectively. Poverty, Education and Community focused non profits were also cited as popular choices.
Americans that expect to make a donation ($) to charitable organizations in 2021, are projecting to give an average of $396 for the year.
Individuals are expecting to increase the average amount donated to charity in 2021 by 13.8% compared to the amount they donated in 2020.
METHODOLOGY & DEMOGRAPHICS
For the purpose of this study, we surveyed 1130 individuals in the United State to find out how they donated their money and time to non-profit organizations in 2020 and the impact COVID-19 had on their charitable contributions. The survey was conducted through SurveyMonkey services.
The demographic composition of the 1130 individuals surveyed is as follows.
WRAP UP
Based on the data we collected, more Americans donated ($) to charity in 2020 compared to 2019 but on average donated less in dollar value due to increased financial strain amidst COVID-19. We also discovered that Americans are optimistic about their charitable contributions in 2021 and expect to give more than they did in 2020.
Here are some other useful resources with respect to charitable giving in America for 2021: