New estimates from the nonprofit GivingTuesday show that donations climbed from $3.6 billion in 2024 to $4 billion in 2025. The national surge wasn’t limited to money, volunteer participation also rose significantly. This year, 11.1 million people across the U.S. gave their time on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (Dec. 2), up from 9.2 million in 2024.

GivingTuesday began in 2012 as a simple hashtag created by the 92nd Street Y in New York. It has since evolved into an independent nonprofit that tracks national generosity by collecting data from giving platforms, payment processors, and nonprofit software systems.

According to Woodrow Rosenbaum, GivingTuesday’s chief data officer, the increase may reflect people’s desire for community and connection. After adjusting for inflation, overall donations grew 8.1% compared to last year. Rosenbaum noted that average gift sizes have also risen over time and that many individuals appear eager to find new ways to contribute.