The following six key insights are found in the most recent Million Dollar List report, Million-Dollar-Plus Giving in the United States, 2021–2023: Patterns of Concentration and Change.
Key Insights Gleaned from Million-Dollar-Plus Giving in the United States from 2021-2023
1.
From 2021 to 2023, the Million Dollar List (MDL) recorded 6,002 donations of $1 million or above, totaling $106.22 billion.
2.
Individual donors in the U.S. constituted the largest source of million-dollar-plus gifts in 2021–2023, giving a total of $48.50 billion (46% of total dollars) across 2,641 gifts (44% of total gifts).
3.
The majority of million-dollar-plus gifts fell within the $1-2 million range, with 1,521 gifts (25%) totaling $1.82 billion (1.7%). In contrast, gifts of $200 million or more accounted for only 44 gifts (0.7%) but represented the largest share of total dollars contributed—$31.64 billion or 30% of total dollars.
4.
Across charitable subsectors, Human Services received both the largest number of gifts (1,273 gifts or 21%) and highest value of million-dollar-plus gifts ($23.16 billion or 21.8%), followed by Public and Societal Benefit ($20.5 billion from 1,132 gifts) and Higher Education ($16.4 billion from 796 gifts). For a full breakdown of dollars and gifts received across all 10 recipient subsectors, please see the results section.
5.
There were 419 gifts (6.9% of total gifts) of $50 million or more. These gifts were fewer in number but accounted for the largest share of dollars at $62.54 billion (58.8% of total dollars).
6.
Among gifts of $50 million or more, the majority of gifts were directed to organizations located within the same state as the donor—approximately 176 gifts, compared to 71 gifts made to out-of-state recipients. However, out-of-state recipients received a larger share of total giving by value—$22.30 billion, compared to $17.60 billion for in-state recipients.