Corporate Giving Rises Amid Socio-Political Pressures, But Nonprofits Feel the Strain — Benevity, Inc.

Event summary

Corporate giving rose eight points year-over-year in 2025, with $2.7 billion donated and nearly 24 million volunteer hours recorded.
94% of CEOs remain supportive of corporate purpose programs, but funding shifts indicate strategic realignment.
Trust and reputation are now the top drivers for corporate purpose investments.
Nonprofits face increased workloads, with 49% reporting that corporate donors rarely fund associated efforts.

The big picture

Corporate purpose is evolving under heightened scrutiny from shareholders, regulators, and employees. While giving has increased, strategic realignments suggest a more business-value-driven approach. The tension lies in balancing corporate goals with the needs of nonprofits, which are increasingly bearing the administrative burden of these programs.

What we're watching

Funding Realignment: How shifts in corporate funding priorities will impact diverse-led and international nonprofits.
AI Integration: The pace at which AI adoption accelerates in corporate purpose strategies despite current hesitations.
Nonprofit Burden: Whether companies will address the growing workload on nonprofits through better resource allocation.