In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Anna Pruitt, Managing Editor for Giving USA and Adjunct Faculty Member from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. They discuss the 2023 findings from the Giving USA report. The total charitable giving in the United States reached a record high of $557 billion in current dollars, showcasing a 2% increase from the previous year. However, when adjusted for inflation, there was a slight decline, highlighting the impact of economic factors on philanthropic trends.

The breakdown of charitable sources revealed a significant milestone as foundations surpassed $100 billion in donations for the second consecutive year, representing a steady increase in their share of total giving. Despite this growth, individual giving, which remains the largest segment at $374 billion, saw fluctuations influenced by economic conditions and personal income levels.

Corporate giving also showed resilience, closely tied to GDP growth and corporate profits, although it did not keep pace with inflation-adjusted terms. Among the nine sub-sectors of charitable recipients, seven sectors experienced growth even after adjusting for inflation, with notable increases in areas linked to stock market performance and high-net-worth giving.

Looking back at multi-year trends, the data indicated that charitable giving in 2023 surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reflecting ongoing support despite global uncertainties. The episode underscored the importance of strategic fundraising planning based on these insights, emphasizing the role of Giving USA data in guiding nonprofit strategies for donor engagement and sustainability.