Report: U.S. Charitable Giving Projected to Grow 4.8 Percent in 2015, 4.9 Percent in 2016

Among the key results:

• Contributions from individuals/households, estates, corporations and foundations are all expected to increase in 2015 and 2016
• Individual/household giving is predicted to increase by 4.4 percent in 2015 and by 4.1 percent in 2016. It includes giving by both households that itemize charitable deductions on tax returns and those that do not itemize.
• Foundation giving is projected to rise by 7.2 percent in 2015 and by 6.7 percent in 2016.
• Giving by estates is predicted to increase by 2.7 percent in 2015 and by 6.3 percent in 2016.
• Corporate giving is expected to grow by 6.0 percent in 2015 and by 4.8 percent in 2016.

“While the economic and financial sector has seen greater than normal economic volatility in recent years, the projected growth in the overall economy suggests a more stable and more positive environment for philanthropy,” said Una Osili, Ph.D., director of research for the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. “The report supports emerging evidence that improvements in the economic environment will have implications for donors and nonprofits. Importantly, though, increasing philanthropic giving will require that nonprofits have not only a positive economic environment but also a strong, clear case for support and thoughtful cultivation of donor relationships.”