Charitable giving in the United States reached $617 billion in 2025, above $600 billion for the first time. The more important number is where the growth came from: bequests rose 16.6 percent, foundation giving reached $117 billion, and a single planned gift, Paul Allen's $3.1 billion bequest, moved the national total on its own. Major philanthropy is now driven by intentional estate, trust and foundation planning rather than by last-minute generosity.
For a family that gives, the question is no longer only how much. It is what structure lets the giving, the family and the legacy work together: a charitable lead trust for annual givers, a charitable remainder trust for low-basis assets, an insurance trust for liquidity, a dynasty trust for what stays in the family.
The full piece is at turnipseed.law.
