The giving environment: Giving during times of uncertainty

Abstract

The pandemic and its aftermath have reshaped numerous facets of our everyday lives, including our philanthropic motivations and behaviors. To gain deeper insights into these giving trends, we analyzed longitudinal data from the Philanthropy Panel Study (PPS), a biannual survey of household giving behaviors, comparing pre-pandemic periods to the pivotal first year (2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The report quantifies shifts in overall giving rates and average giving amounts while also identifying key drivers of altered giving behavior. Although some findings explore well-researched aspects of giving, this report also uncovers how pandemic factors—such as social distancing mandates, economic loss, and COVID-19 related morbidity/mortality—impacted giving patterns. These findings contribute to an emerging body of research that explores how donors respond during times of crisis and uncertainty.