More than 8 out of 10 donors (84%) say their giving to charitable causes will stay the same or increase this year, according to new research conducted by DickersonBakker.

“Despite widespread donor pessimism about the economy, it does not appear that donors intend to significantly reduce their charitable donations this year,” says the annual study. The national online survey of 2,358 faith-based donors took place in April and May 2022.

The findings should be welcome relief for America’s 1.5 million nonprofit organizations that rely on donations to fund programs ranging from feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless to digging wells overseas in the name of Jesus.

Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans believe the economy will dive into recession this year, according to the study, while fewer than 2 out of 10 expect their income to rise in 2022. And while 3 out of 4 donors have also seen their stock market investments drop this year, the vast majority say the drop won’t affect their charitable giving.

Small donors are likely to keep up their current giving level. And big donors are likely to give slightly more than they did last year. These factors leave the door open for a major gift appeal at year-end 2022, according to the report. Many nonprofits receive a third or more of their total revenue during the all-important, year-end holiday season.

Three quarters (78%) of donors identified their local church or place of worship in their top 3 giving priorities. While Americans remain positive about supporting overseas aid in places like Ukraine and other international relief and development efforts, “local” is their main focus right now. Lesser priorities -- though still important to donors -- include military and veterans, education, healthcare, human rights issues, animal welfare, the environment, and the arts.

For more articles on giving trends, scroll the headlines at ECFA.org/news.