Where can I find statistics on foundation and corporate giving?
An excellent source of overall statistics about the nonprofit sector is Giving USA. This annual report by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, provides giving estimates by source of contribution--individuals, foundations, bequests and corporations--and how that money was used by nine subject categories, such as religion, health and education.
You might also find the statistics you need by using these free resources:
- Candid's Research Reports, which examine current philanthropic data.
- Candid's Foundation Landscapes--custom web portals that provide aggregate data on selected subjects.
Lastly, you can order custom statistical searches from Candid's research staff for a fee.
If you just want quick numbers for internal use, such as benchmarking, you can look at the aggregate numbers in our database, Foundation Directory. This tool contains data more than 16 million grants awarded since 2003. It is searchable by criteria such as subject, population served and geographic location. Foundation Directory provides statistics such as the total dollar value of the grants that match your search criteria or the average size grant awarded by a funder.
But please be aware that Foundation Directory's statistics are aimed at helping nonprofits gain a better understand who is giving and receiving grants in their area; it is not meant to provide hard statistical data for analyses of the social sector. If you are an arts nonprofit, for example, Foundation Directory can help you find potential funders and collaborators. But if you are a scholar trying to determine how much arts funding was awarded in a given year, Foundation Directory is not an appropriate source.
You can find a quick guide to Foundation Directory here.
Have a question about this topic? Ask us!
Candid's Online Librarian service will answer your questions within two business days.
Ask usExplore resources curated by our staff for this topic:
Staff-recommended websites
-
Staff pick
Candid
U.S. Social Sector Dashboard
Candid's annually updated website shares key statistics about the organizations, financial flows, and people that make up the social sector in the United States.
-
IRS Tax Stats
Tax-Exempt Organizations and Nonexempt Charitable Trusts
Excel viewer of the number of tax-exempt organizations and nonexempt charitable trusts, browsable by year.
-
Staff pick
IRS
SOI Tax Stats - Domestic Private Foundation and Charitable Trust Statistics
Statistics on private foundations are compiled from Form 990-PF, an annual information return that includes data on excise tax liability, charitable distributions, administrative expenditures, as well as income statement and balance sheet information.
-
Staff pick
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University
The mission of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University is to increase the understanding of philanthropy, improving its practice, and enhancing participation in philanthropy. The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is moving philanthropy forward in the 21st century. Its cutting-edge programs and initiatives provide nonprofits, donors and scholars with the resources they need to make a difference.
-
Staff pick
CECP (Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose)
Giving in Numbers
The CECP (Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose) publishes an annual report on corporate contributions by leading U.S. companies. Downloading in full-text is available with free registration. (CECP was formerly known as Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy.)