Low-income households more likely to give at least 10% of their earnings to churches, charities: study

American households making less than $30,000 a year are nearly twice as likely as those making over $100,000 a year to donate at least 10% of their incomes to churches or charities, according to a new study suggesting that giving patterns remain closely tied to religious belief and practice.

The American Bible Society released the eighth installment of its “State of the Bible: USA 2026” report Thursday. The latest chapter, titled “Love & Generosity,” focuses on the charitable giving patterns of Christians and Americans. The data is based on responses from 2,649 U.S. adults collected Jan. 8–27, 2026.

Overall, 62% of Americans donated to churches, religious organizations or other charities in 2025. That is down from 64% in 2024 but up from the record low of 59% in 2023. Among households that donated in 2025, the median amount given was $500, a substantial drop from the 2024 average of $894.

The research examined charitable giving by household income level and found that the share of adults who give at least 10% of their household income to charity gradually decreases as annual income increases.

The share was highest among donors who make less than $30,000 a year (10%). A slightly smaller share gave at least 10% among those who make between $30,000 and $60,000 a year (9%) and between $60,000 and $100,000 a year (8.3%). About 5.4% of respondents earning more than $100,000 a year said they give at least 10% of their income.

The median percentage of income given was also highest among the lowest earners (1.3%) and lowest among the highest earners (0.6%). Americans who make between $60,000 and $100,000 a year gave a median of 1%, about the same as those who earn between $30,000 and $60,000 a year (0.9%). Those earning $100,000 recorded a 0.6% median percentage of income donated.

“Generosity is a tangible expression of love," said American Bible Society's Chief Innovation Officer and editor-in-chief of the State of the Bible series John Farquhar Plake. "Generosity is an overflow of the heart, and this year's State of the Bible findings clearly demonstrate that a life transformed by the Bible inspires sacrificial giving and ultimately impacts a person's overall well-being — along with that of their community.”

Ninety-three percent of practicing Christians gave to charity in 2025. The report defines practicing Christians as those who self-identify as Christians, attend a religious service at least once a month and say their faith is very important in their lives.

Smaller shares of nominal Christians (57%) — who identify as Christians but do not attend church at least monthly — donated to charity in 2025. Eighty-seven percent of Casual Christians, who identify as Christians and attend church at least monthly but do not agree that their faith is very important in their lives, also donated to charity in 2025.

The research appears to have found a correlation between the amount given and agreement with the statement “the message of the Bible has transformed my life.” The median amount given among respondents who “agree strongly” was $1,000, while the median among those who “agree somewhat” was $200.

The median amount donated among respondents who “disagree somewhat” was $20. Among those who “disagree strongly,” the median was $0.

In 2025, exactly half (50%) of charitable donations went to a church, parish or temple. That is up from 48% in 2023 and 44% in 2024.

Six percent of charitable donations in 2025 went to other local religious organizations, while 5% went to national or regional religious organizations. Other common recipients were local nonreligious charities (22%) and national or regional nonreligious charities (18%). Nonreligious charities received a smaller share of donations last year than in 2024 (27%), while the share given to other religious organizations and national or regional nonreligious charities was unchanged.