Private Foundations Boost Giving 15% to $1.14B, Exceeding Minimum…

Event summary

Private foundations increased giving by 15.1% to $1.14 billion in 2025, with larger foundations driving the growth at 22.6%.
Foundations distributed 7.1% of their assets, well above the 5% required minimum, with smaller foundations giving the most relative to their size at 9.9%.
Education received the largest share of grant dollars (19.0%), while Human Services received the most grants (7,785).
Foundation endowments grew by 11% to $5.7 billion, with mid-size foundations seeing the strongest net asset growth at 13.9%.
Investment strategies varied significantly by size, with larger foundations allocating more to alternatives (20.9%) compared to smaller ones (3.8%).

The big picture

The 15% increase in private foundation giving to $1.14 billion reflects a strategic response to shifting needs and funding uncertainty in the nonprofit sector. With endowments growing by 11% and investment strategies varying significantly by size, the data underscores the importance of tailored philanthropic solutions in a dynamic market. The preference for targeted giving over general operating support highlights a trend toward more intentional and impactful charitable planning.

What we're watching

Giving Trends: How the 15% increase in giving will impact nonprofit funding and whether this pace can be sustained in 2027.
Investment Strategies: Whether the significant differences in investment strategies between smaller and larger foundations will affect their long-term growth and giving capacity.
Regulatory Compliance: The extent to which foundations will continue to distribute well above the 5% minimum and how regulatory changes might influence their giving strategies.