Connect with us

Business

U.S. charitable giving tops $600B thanks to megadonors and bequests

Published

on

U.S. charitable giving tops $600B thanks to megadonors and bequests

Violetastoimenova | E+ | Getty Images

A version of this article first appeared in CNBC’s Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.

Donors gave an estimated $617.2 billion to U.S. charities last year, up 5.7% from the year prior on a blistering stock market rally, according to a Giving USA report released this week. 

Advertisement

The findings mark the first time yearly giving has topped $600 billion in the 60-year history of the annual philanthropy report, which is published by the Giving USA Foundation. Adjusted for inflation, giving was up 3% year over year. 

The effect of the stock market boom, however, was more pronounced with deep-pocketed donors. Individual donors still made up the highest share of contributions at $394.2 billion, but that sum grew just 1.4% in inflation-adjusted dollars, while charitable bequests – gifts made after death – surged by 16.6% to an estimated $62.19 billion. 

The rise in bequests could be the latest signal of the Great Wealth Transfer. Cerulli Associates estimates more than $124 trillion in assets will pass down by 2048, with about $18 trillion allocated to charity. 

Jon Bergdoll, the report’s lead analyst, said it’s too early to tell how much of the increase in bequeathed gifts is due to the massive handover of wealth.

Advertisement

What’s clearer, according to Bergdoll, is that wealthy Americans who are most likely to leave large sums to charity are the biggest beneficiaries of the stock market boom.

“There’s always a pretty tight connection between bequest and overall net worth, which in turn, is pretty connected to the market,” said Bergdoll, interim director of data and research partnerships at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, which researches and writes the report. 

Charitable giving hits record high: Here's what to know

The stock market’s impact on overall giving, which includes gifts by foundations and corporations, is slower and more muted. That said, Bergdoll said he expected a bigger uptick in giving considering the past few years of strong market growth. Between 2024 and 2025, the S&P 500 jumped 13.4% in inflation-adjusted dollars, roughly four times the rate of growth in total giving, per the report. 

He attributed much of the gap between paper wealth and total giving to tepid growth in gross domestic product and record-low consumer sentiment. 

“This is a somewhat strange economy for that stock market growth,” he said. “While the market’s doing well, and GDP is doing OK, it does seem like there is a lot of unease. We know that giving comes from a place of financial security for people, and so that could be dragging things down a little bit on the individual end.”

Advertisement

Bergdoll added that it would be detrimental for the nonprofit sector if charitable giving followed stock fluctuations too closely.  

“We wouldn’t want it to be a one-for-one relationship,” he said. “As much as we might want giving to go up 20% when the market goes up 20%, we really don’t want giving to go down by 20% when the market goes down by 20%.”

Get Inside Wealth directly to your inbox

Many top earners were expected to pull forward donations in 2025 to take advantage of tax benefits set to decline due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Bergdoll said the uptick was significant but small relative to overall contributions. The report estimated donors gave an additional $1.71 billion in 2025 to take fuller advantage of expiring tax incentives.

While U.S. charities are receiving more dollars, they have become increasingly reliant on the ultra-wealthy as economic pressures squeeze middle-class donors. The report estimated that nine donors accounted for a whopping $22.32 billion of last year’s total philanthropy. MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, contributed the largest share at $6.65 billion.

Advertisement

These donors’ megagifts, or contributions of at least 0.1% of total giving, can reshape philanthropy year to year. Nearly a third of the increase in bequest giving came from the estate of late Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, which established a $3.1 billion fund for science and technology research.

Gabe Cooper, vice chair of the Giving USA Foundation, told CNBC he had mixed feelings about megagifts.

“Do I love when the Paul Allens and MacKenzie Scotts of the world commit to giving away a lot of their wealth? Yes, 100%, and I wish more billionaires would do the same,” said Cooper, who is also the CEO of fundraising platform Virtuous. “On the flip side of that, I actually don’t want that number to grow too big. I don’t want a growing dependence on the megawealthy, whose giving patterns might be more volatile year to year.”

While the rise in bequests is a boon for philanthropy, Cooper has his eye on the bigger prize: heirs.

Advertisement

“If a billionaire passes away, and they give $200 million to charity, the other $800 million is probably going to their kiddos, and so I want those kiddos to make really good decisions in terms of philanthropy,” he said.

Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Business

Cavco Industries, Inc. (CVCO) Q1 2027 Earnings Call Transcript

Published

on

OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Operator

Thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Cavco Industries, Inc.’s First Quarter Fiscal Year 2027 Earnings Call and Webcast. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder. Today’s program is being recorded.

And now I’d like to introduce your host for today’s program, Mark Fusler, Corporate Controller and Investor Relations. Please go ahead, sir.

Advertisement

Mark Fusler
Director of Financial Reporting, Investor Relations & Corporate Controller

Good day, and thank you for joining us for Cavco Industries First Quarter Fiscal Year 2027 Earnings Conference Call. During this call, you’ll be hearing from Bill Boor, President and Chief Executive Officer; Allison Aden, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Paul Bigbee, Chief Accounting Officer.

Before we begin, we’d like to remind you that the comments made during this conference call by management may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about our future or expected business and financial performance and are not promises or guarantees of future performance, their expectations or assumptions about Cavco’s financial and operational performance, revenues, earnings per share, cash flow or use, cost savings, operational efficiencies, current or future volatility in the credit markets or future market conditions.

All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could affect Cavco’s actual results and could cause its actual results to differ materially

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Kate Middleton Is the Monarchy’s “Greatest Asset” as Shared Cancer Battle Deepens Bond With the King

Published

on

Kevin Durant

Kate Middleton has become one of King Charles III’s most trusted family members, with royal watchers pointing to a shared cancer diagnosis and years of steady public service as factors that have deepened the bond between the king and the Princess of Wales.

Katie Nicholl, a royal correspondent for Vanity Fair and co-host of the podcast “The Royals Uncensored,” said the princess has consistently proven her value to the institution since marrying into the royal family. “I think Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has always been a very valuable asset to the royal family,” Nicholl told Fox News Digital. “She is the commoner who married into the royal family … [She has made] a seamless transition into that unique world of royalty. It’s not easy … There’s a huge amount of sacrifice that goes into being a member of the royal family.” Nicholl added that Kate has handled that sacrifice with composure. “Catherine’s had to give up a huge amount, and yet she does it all with a great deal of grace and dignity, always with a smile,” Nicholl said. “So she is absolutely the monarchy’s greatest asset.”

The relationship between Charles and Kate has grown notably closer following parallel health struggles both experienced beginning in 2024. Buckingham Palace announced the king’s cancer diagnosis that year, and Charles shared in December 2025 that his treatment would be scaled back in 2026. Kate revealed her own cancer diagnosis in March 2024, shortly after the king’s announcement became public. She completed chemotherapy that September and announced in January 2025 that she was in remission.

British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard said the king has drawn inspiration from watching Kate navigate her illness. “King Charles sees enormous value in Princess Catherine,” Chard told Fox News Digital. “Not just as the wife of his heir, but as the cornerstone of the monarchy itself. He genuinely loves his ‘darling’ daughter-in-law. His face lights up when he is with her. They share similar interests, and they have shared a similar cancer journey, one that has created a deep bond and understanding that goes beyond duty.”

Advertisement

Chard said the late Queen Elizabeth II had recognized Kate’s value to the institution well before Charles ascended the throne. “The late queen saw it too,” Chard said. “She recognized Catherine’s superpowers early on — her ability to listen, find solutions and bring calm to difficult situations.” Chard also framed Kate’s role within Charles’s broader approach to his reign. “King Charles fundamentally views his time on the throne as stewardship,” she said. “He sees himself as the caretaker of the institution and is acutely conscious of preparing the next generation. Collaborative preparation between the king and his heir is essential. Having Princess Catherine as the wife of his heir, Charles has struck gold.”

Royal author Sally Bedell Smith, in previous comments to People magazine, described the relationship in more personal terms. “He has always had a very strong bond with her,” Smith told the outlet, adding that Kate is “like the daughter he never had.” Smith said Charles shares a protective instinct toward Kate with his son, Prince William. “He shares with William an impulse to protect her,” Smith said. “They are in this together, Kate and the king.”

When Kate’s diagnosis first became public, Buckingham Palace said Charles was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as he did.” Author Christopher Andersen has separately written that the king stood by Kate’s side during her treatment “to lend his cherished daughter-in-law moral support.”

Kate has continued advocacy work tied to her cancer experience in the time since her recovery, including a recent charity fundraising climb of the three highest peaks in the United Kingdom for the Royal Marsden hospital. Nicholl said that effort has strengthened public support for the princess. “Thankfully, despite a serious health issue, she has overcome that,” Nicholl said. “We’ve just seen her climb the three highest peaks in the United Kingdom to raise money for the Royal Marsden. She’s turning her experience into something positive, and I think that’s earned her a great deal of respect among the British public, along with a lot of love and affection. People are very much behind her and William.”

Advertisement

Chard echoed that sentiment, describing Kate’s broader connection with the public. “Princess Catherine connects with people in a way that restores faith in the monarchy,” Chard said. “She has learned every aspect of the institution over many years and has blended in carefully without fuss. Princess Catherine is central to the institution’s success, and King Charles knows this.”

Royal commentators say Kate’s steadiness has taken on added significance as the working royal family has grown smaller in recent years. Prince Andrew stepped back as a working royal in 2019 amid his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and Charles has since formally stripped him of his princely title and HRH style. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California.

Royals commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the king’s appreciation for Kate extends to her partnership with William. “Naturally, King Charles recognizes the value of Kate, who is indeed the monarchy’s greatest asset,” Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. “We should add, ‘together with her partnership with William and their family.’ While we praise Catherine’s many strengths, William is the future king. She will one day be queen consort. They see themselves as a close-knit couple.” Fitzwilliams also pointed to Kate’s support for William amid reported tension over how to handle Harry. “William is currently at the center of reports that he and the king differ over how to handle Prince Harry, in particular,” Fitzwilliams said. “As she showed when the Sussexes met with the king and Queen Camilla, she fully supports William’s approach.”

Royals expert Hilary Fordwich said Kate’s steadiness has translated into measurable public goodwill. “It’s not at all surprising King Charles and Princess Catherine have bonded,” Fordwich told Fox News Digital. “One can tangibly feel the public also values her wonderful assets from the reception she always receives when in public, as well as in opinion polls. She has become indispensable and has won the public’s trust.” Fordwich attributed that trust in part to how Kate handled her illness. “She handled the strain of her cancer battle with dignity, without any indication of self-pity.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Bombardier Inc. (BBD.B:CA) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Published

on

OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Operator

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Bombardier Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. Please be advised that this call is being recorded. At this time, I would like to turn the discussion over to Mr. Francis Richer de La Fleche, Vice President, FP&A and Investor Relations for Bombardier. Please go ahead.

Francis Richer de La Fleche
Vice President of Financial Planning & Investor Relations

Advertisement

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Bombardier’s earnings call for the second quarter of 2026. I wish to remind you that during the course of this call, we may make projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the financial performance of the corporation. There are risks that actual events or results may differ materially from these statements. For additional information on forward-looking statements and underlying assumptions, please refer to the MD&A. I’m making this cautionary statement on behalf of each speaker on this call.

With me today is our President and Chief Executive Officer, Éric Martel; and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Bart Demosky, to review our operations and financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026.

I would now like

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Time for government, companies to adopt artificial intelligence: Deloitte India

Published

on

The Economic Times

MUMBAI: In the midst of Indian companies battling the Covid-19 disruption, there is a growing realisation and acceptance that artificial intelligence (AI) is not only unavoidable but it must be adopted quickly to remain competitive in the marketplace, Deloitte India CEO N Venkatram told ET.“Indian companies need to re-skill, train, and acquire more relevant talent, if they are to successfully integrate AI technologies. Most importantly, they

( Originally published on Dec 27, 2020 )

Continue Reading

Business

Thousands take to Kyiv’s main street, firm on calls for defence minister’s return

Published

on


Thousands take to Kyiv’s main street, firm on calls for defence minister’s return

Continue Reading

Business

Indian dating apps, services see surge of paying users in small cities

Published

on

The Economic Times

NEW DELHI: For Indian dating apps and services, small cities and towns are now driving the growth more than the metros.According to companies like Aisle and Truly Madly, which have millions of users and position themselves as “serious” dating apps, and bespoke high-end dating services like Sirf Coffee, a lot more users from such places are not only keen on using these apps, but also willing to pay for it.While users for these apps from small

( Originally published on Jan 01, 2021 )

Continue Reading

Business

Govt may keep Rs 7,500 cr outlay for IT hardware manufacturing under PLI scheme

Published

on

The Economic Times
NEW DELHI: The government may keep an outlay of Rs 7,500 crore under the production linked incentive scheme for IT hardware products like personal computers, laptops, tablets and servers, according to a source aware of the development.

Foreign companies looking for incentives under the scheme may have to invest Rs 500 crore over four years, while the threshold for domestic firms is likely to be around Rs 20 crore for five years, the source who did not wish to be named said.

“Meity (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) will take the Cabinet approval of the detailed guidelines soon and is hopeful of rolling out the scheme from next financial year. The incentive outlay is likely to be around Rs 7,500 crore,” the source said.

The government has announced a cumulative production linked incentive of Rs 2 lakh crore for 10 sectors to encourage domestic manufacturing after seeing traction of global giants like Apple’s contract manufacturers, Samsung etc for the scheme in the mobile devices segment.

Advertisement

According to mobile devices industry body ICEA, India has the potential to scale up its cumulative laptop and tablet manufacturing capacity to over Rs 7 lakh crore by 2025 through policy interventions.

Scaling up laptop and tablet PC manufacturing can take the share of India in the global market to 26 per cent from 1 per cent at present.