Charitable giving is taking a hit as cost-of-living challenges continue to put a strain on people’s budgets, a new study shows.
More than 4 out of 5 in the U.S. said at least one cost-of-living pressure has prevented them from donating or donating more over the past six months, according to a survey of more than 3,000 adults in the United States and the United Kingdom, including more than 2,000 in the U.S.
One in 7 respondents cited unexpected expenses as a barrier to donating.
However, despite the financial strains, people are still giving, with 77% of U.S. adults surveyed donating money in some way in the past six months, said Vishal Ghotge, CEO of Kiva, which commissioned the study by The Harris Poll. Kiva is a nonprofit that offers loans through crowdfunding campaigns.
“We have seen this happen at Kiva over the last 20 years. Every time there’s economic downturns, we still see people coming back (to donate),” Ghotge told USA TODAY, which was given an exclusive early look at the study.
Overall, people are giving less, with total contributions reported by respondents falling from 80% to 64% in the last six months, according to the study.
Nearly 3 in 4 donors (72%) said smaller, recurring contributions of $25 or less feel far more sustainable right now than writing large one-off checks.
Giving something, even if it is less than normal, is better than not donating, said Ghotge.
“Giving smaller still helps,” he said. “Most people want to give to a cause that is close to their heart.”
In another study this summer by Giving USA Foundation, giving by individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations to U.S. charities increased 5.7% to an estimated $617.20 billion in 2025.
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