Economic uncertainty not likely to derail charitable donations, survey finds

More adults say they're likely to increase their giving rather than decrease it, according to the Edward Jones study.

More than two-thirds of American adults (68%) intend to donate a similar amount of money to charity this year as they did in 2021, despite the current economic uncertainty, according to a study conducted by Edward Jones with Morning Consult.

More adults (17%) are planning to increase their contributions than decrease their donations (10%) this year, the study found, and of those planning to donate more this year, 39% cite social and political issues as the catalyst.

The survey of more than 2,200 adults, which was conducted in August, found the biggest barrier preventing people from donating is not having access to excess funds (61%). Other barriers include saving money to account for inflation (30% of givers and 20% of non-givers), being unsure about where the funds are going (26% of givers and 17% of non-givers) and not knowing where to donate (8% of givers and 5% of non-givers).

Nearly all Americans (93%) donate at least once a year, and those who do are most motivated to give for altruistic reasons, according to the findings of the survey.

[More: Charitable giving isn’t falling despite growing economic worries: Fidelity]