The 2025 Giving USA report drops into a fundraising world that feels like it’s changing faster than ever — political pressure, economic swings, natural disasters and cultural shifts are all affecting philanthropy in real time. Still, this annual data dive offers valuable insights you can use to strengthen your strategy right now. We’ve pulled five key takeaways — plus expanded on what each one means for you.

In the evolving landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), staying updated on legal developments is critical. In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in higher education, stating that these institutions can no longer use race as part of the decision-making criteria for admissions. While this move is specific to higher education, the potential implications for nonprofit practices and philanthropic initiatives are currently being tested in court. Panelists from WISE and Kanarys discussed key takeaways from the ruling and what nonprofits should do next as they continue to strive for inclusion, belonging and meaningful impact. 

This year, in the World Giving Index, the United States emerged as the most charitable country – with 72% of Americans reporting that they helped a stranger, 61% donated to a charity and 42% volunteered their time. But, as economic and societal shifts occur, that ranking may change. With the recent Giving USA 2024 report – the social sector’s annual report – Social Impact Architects once again partnered with Wise Resource Development to drill down on today’s giving trends and help your fundraising team make sense of them for future planning.