How Affluent Americans Give – and Why It Matters

Authors

  • Dianne Chipps Bailey

Keywords:

Philanthropy, Affluent Donors, Donor Motivation, Strategic Giving, Impact Investing, Civic Engagement, Nonprofit Strategy, Social Impact

Abstract

How Affluent Americans Give – and Why It Matters examines the evolving philanthropic behaviors of wealthy U.S. households through findings from the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy, produced in partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. While the share of affluent Americans who give has declined over the past decade, those who continue to participate are giving significantly more, resulting in a more concentrated philanthropic landscape. The article highlights that affluent giving remains deeply values-driven and personally fulfilling, shaped by beliefs, firsthand experiences, and issue interests, even as economic uncertainty and family priorities influence participation. Beyond financial contributions, the article documents a rebound in volunteering and a growing sophistication in charitable strategies, including increased use of donor-advised funds, estate planning tools, and impact investing. The introduction of five donor archetypes reveals important differences in motivations, engagement styles, and giving capacity, offering actionable insights for nonprofits and advisors seeking to build stronger relationships with donors. The article concludes that philanthropy among affluent Americans is becoming more purposeful, personal, and strategic—and that the future strength of the sector will depend on how effectively institutions adapt to donors’ evolving expectations, generational shifts, and desire for meaningful, long-term impact.

Author Biography

Dianne Chipps Bailey

Dianne Chipps Bailey is a philanthropic advisor and nationally recognized thought leader with more than twenty-five years of experience supporting donors and nonprofit leaders in advancing meaningful, lasting social change. She is widely sought for her expertise on best practices and emerging trends in philanthropy, with insights featured in Axios, Barron’s, Business Insider, Fortune, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. Deeply committed to civic engagement, Bailey has served on and led numerous nonprofit boards and is a passionate advocate for women’s leadership. She currently serves as Chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute National Council and is the speaker of a TEDx Talk, The Case for Fierce Optimism.

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Published

2026-02-18

How to Cite

Chipps Bailey, D. (2026). How Affluent Americans Give – and Why It Matters. Social Innovations Journal, 35(1). Retrieved from https://socialinnovationsjournal.com/index.php/sij/article/view/11712

Issue

Vol. 35 (2026): Strategy and Tools to Drive Financial Capital Into Communities and Their Changemakers

Section

Collective Impact and System Transformation

Categories

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Copyright (c) 2026 Dianne Chipps Bailey (Author)

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