$155 Billion Is Being Left on the Table in U.S. Charitable Giving: New Bonterra Report Shows How Nonprofits Can Capture Untapped Value

Bonterra, a leading provider of ethical AI technology for social good organizations, has released its 2026 Impact Report, outlining a data-backed path to increase U.S. charitable giving to 3% of GDP by 2033. The report finds that more than $155 billion in potential charitable giving remains unrealized each year, representing the gap between current giving levels and that 3% goal.

Charitable giving has remained at just 2.5% of GDP for decades, even as the way people connect, transact, and participate in other parts of the economy has evolved, leaving significant resources on the table that could otherwise make a meaningful difference in communities.

Bonterra’s research finds that the challenge is not donor intent, but how giving is designed and supported over time. 80% of donors and 65% of nonprofit leaders say reaching 3% is achievable, yet many organizations are not set up to turn that intent into ongoing involvement.

The report shows that giving is often limited by a combination of personal and structural barriers, including affordability, limited visibility into impact, and a lack of simple ways to get involved. At the same time, many nonprofits face challenges in moving beyond one-time campaigns to approaches that build long-term relationships with supporters. Together, these dynamics make it harder for people to stay involved and for organizations to maintain consistent engagement over time.

“Giving hasn’t kept pace with how people engage in the rest of their lives,” said Scott Brighton, CEO of Bonterra. “That disconnect is what stands between where we are today and reaching 3% of GDP. Closing it is one of the biggest opportunities to expand resources for communities, and it will require rethinking how organizations engage and retain donors.”

What Will Unlock the Next Era of Giving

Bonterra’s 2026 Impact Report points to a clear shift required to unlock more than $155 billion in unrealized giving. Increasing participation will depend on making impact more visible and creating more consistent, accessible ways for people to stay involved.

• Make impact visible and measurable: 75% of stakeholders say evidence of measurable impact is one of the most effective ways to drive support. When people can clearly see the outcomes of their contributions, they are more likely to continue giving.
• Use AI and data to strengthen relationships at scale: Nearly 9 in 10 leaders say technology has increased trust with supporters, and 80% say it has improved their ability to reach and connect with them. Tools like AI help organizations tailor outreach, reduce manual work, and make it easier for people to stay engaged over time.

“People want to know that what they do matters, and they want it to be easy to stay involved,” said Kimberly O’Donnell, Chief Fundraising Officer at Bonterra. “The organizations that will grow giving are the ones that clearly show impact and make it simple for people to take part over time. AI is becoming an important part of that, helping more organizations deliver that experience consistently and at scale, not just those with the largest teams or resources.”

Findings from the 2026 Impact Report are based on survey data from nonprofit leaders and from donors and volunteers, combined with aggregated insights from Bonterra’s solutions. The research reflects perspectives from hundreds of U.S.-based respondents alongside real-world data on giving, engagement, and participation across Bonterra’s network.

In 2025, Bonterra’s network supported more than $22 billion in giving and connected over 213,000 nonprofits. The company continues to invest in AI and data-driven technology to help organizations translate intent into sustained action and long-term impact.