New Report Finds That Online Giving Grew 21% Amidst Global Pandemic

The Blackbaud Institute, a research division of Blackbaud, released its ninth annual "Charitable Giving Report." Tracking over $40 billion in U.S.-based charitable giving from the Blackbaud Institute Index, the report is one of the most credible resources on fundraising performance in the social good community.

The "2020 Charitable Giving Report" explores giving trends in one of the most transformational years the social good sector has seen. The report leverages the largest data set of giving and donor trends to help social good organizations understand the past and prepare for the future with resources to create informed strategies. Findings are based on giving data from 8,833 nonprofit organizations totaling $40.7 billion in fundraising revenue, plus online data from 4,964 nonprofit organizations totaling $3.2 billion in online fundraising revenue.

Key Giving Trends

• U.S. charitable giving grew 2% year over year, representing an increase of more than 5% over the last three years.
• Online giving grew by nearly 21%, representing more than a 32% increase over the last three years.
• A record 13% of fundraising came from online donations in 2020, mirroring similar online retail sales trends.
• Nearly 30% of all online gifts were made from a mobile device.
• Growth in online and mobile giving represented a dramatic shift to digital in 2020.
• Donation amounts increased, with overall donations averaging $737 (a $120 increase year over year) and online donations averaging $177 (a $29 increase year over year).
• Though nonprofits of all sizes experienced a significant drop in charitable giving in April, May and June, giving made a remarkable recovery in the second half of 2020.

“Each year, we produce the 'Charitable Giving Report' to give social good organizations a comprehensive look at how giving performed and to provide best practices that will help organizations boost their fundraising,” said Steve MacLaughlin, VP, product management, Blackbaud, and senior advisor to the Blackbaud Institute. “While 2020 presented a multitude of hardships, we saw significant resiliency in the social good sector and growth in giving. It was truly a year of digital transformation as online giving growth proved to be an integral part of the modern nonprofit’s strategy.”

The full 2020 report can be accessed on the Blackbaud Institute site here, and past reports from the series can be found here.

Editor's Note: This press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of NonProfit PRO and its staff.