Giving USA + International Giving

The full story the annual giving numbers do not reveal

The US giving to nonprofits + causes overseas is far greater than the official number suggests. 📊 The new Giving USA 2025 report reminds us that American generosity reaches far beyond US borders.🌍 In 2024, giving to the official “International Affairs” sector accounted for about 6% of total charitable dollars (roughly $35.5 billion of the total $592.50 billion charitable contributions).❗ But the real story is much more nuanced - and far more impactful for Israeli, European, and other international organizations.

💲 How is this? Let's take, for example, the many “American Friends” organizations - US-based nonprofits that raise tax-deductible gifts to benefit institutions overseas. Gifts to these 501(c) (3) organizations are, for the most part, counted under other sectors, including Education, Health, or Religion, depending on their mission and IRS designation (NTEE Codes). The "Internal Affairs" category also does not account for all the donations received via Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) and umbrella bodies, such as Federations.

So, what does the "International Affairs” category include? Primarily nonprofits with a focus on International development and relations, Emergency relief, International peace efforts, and similar causes.

📌 What does this mean in practice?

Charitable giving that ultimately benefits causes overseas easily exceeds the $35.5 billion officially counted under “International Affairs.” For Israeli amutot, European charitable organizations, and countless other international nonprofits, these “American Friends” relationships are a vital bridge - turning US generosity into real-world impact abroad. Without this broader context, it’s easy to underestimate the profound impact of US philanthropy on charitable causes in other countries.

✨ The takeaway:

Philanthropy today is inherently international. Nonprofits outside the US must become skilled storytellers, showing American donors how their generosity drives real impact thousands of miles from their own communities.

Crafting compelling fundraising messages that resonate with US donors and invite them to make a difference is key.

Equally important is building trust, transparency, and consistent stewardship - all of which deepen donor engagement and sustain these vital cross-border partnerships for the long term.

#Fundraising hashtag#GivingUSA hashtag#Philanthropy hashtag#AmericanFriends hashtag#InternationalGiving hashtag#NonprofitLeadership hashtag#FundraisingStrategy

Tanja Sarett, MA, CFRE, CVF, is an international fundraising consultant, facilitator, and executive coach based in the US and Israel, and the founder of Synergies in Philanthropy Consulting.

Synergies in Philanthropy Consulting provides strategic and customized solutions to help nonprofits grow their fundraising capacity, deepen donor engagement, and drive sustainable revenue. With a global perspective and deep understanding of the local landscape, Synergies empowers organizations in Israel, the US, and Europe to excel with clarity, creativity, and confidence.