In this episode of The First Day from The Fundraising School, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by philanthropic power duo Una Osili, Ph.D. and Jon Bergdoll, M.A., to unpack the freshly minted Giving USA 2025 report. Spoiler alert: Americans gave over $590 billion in 2024. Adjusted for inflation, giving grew a solid 3.3%, with a hefty assist from a booming stock market, low unemployment, and a collective sigh of economic relief post-pandemic.

Dr. Osili brings the analytical fire, grounding her insights in decades of data while reminding us that while 2024 hit a record in current dollars, inflation-adjusted giving still trails some pandemic-era highs. Still, the philanthropic glass is more than half full. Giving from individuals surged 8% (5% after inflation), and corporate generosity followed suit with a 9% bump. Foundations held steady after three fat years, showing that even giving giants need to catch their breath.

On the receiving end, religious institutions still top the charts, though their share has dipped below 30%. Human services climbed to second place, nudging education to bronze, thanks to ongoing support for basic needs post-COVID. All nine subsectors of charitable giving saw growth in current dollars, a feat achieved only 14 times in the last 40 years. Even donor-advised funds (DAFs) got their moment in the sun, showing up everywhere and nowhere all at once.

But the big question: So what? Dr. Osili offers three golden takeaways for fundraisers. First, Americans are consistently generous, even in uncertain times. Second, diversify your donor base: individuals, foundations, corporations, and planned gifts. And third, it’s innovation time. As giving methods evolve, nonprofits must sharpen their skills, adapt their tools, and embrace the future. Because in fundraising, staying still is the fastest way to fall behind.