Charitable giving is a uniquely American phenomenon, driven by both social and tax considerations. In 2022, Americans gave $499.33 billion to charitable causes, according to the annual Giving USA dataset. Just under two-thirds of that came directly from individuals (not corporations, foundations, or bequests). Along with that groundswell of giving, nearly one in three American adults volunteer to help organizations they believe in, based on an AmeriCorps study. Six out of 10 American households are charitable, according to The Philanthropy Roundtable. Altogether, generosity seems to be something of a national pastime!