Isn’t it something special that we have an entire day set aside simply to give thanks? In the middle of a holiday season filled with gift buying, list-making, and calendars full of events, Thanksgiving pulls us gently back to center. It reminds us of the gifts we’ve been given—some big, some small, some as simple as a warm smile or a kind gesture from someone who saw us when we needed it most.
And here’s the beautiful thing: we don’t just celebrate gratitude once a year. We express it all year long as a nation of strong, committed, wholehearted givers.
The Remarkable Generosity of 2024
Let’s take a look at the numbers, not to turn this into a spreadsheet moment, but because sometimes data tells a surprisingly heartwarming story.
In 2024, total giving in the United States exceeded $590 billion.
Yes—billion with a B.
Not only that, but giving increased by 6.3% over the year before. What makes that especially wonderful is that this increase outpaced inflation. That means the organizations receiving donations were able to do more good with every dollar. More meals served. More shelters supported. More kids tutored. More families are stabilized. More dreams strengthened.
And when we zoom in a little closer, we find another encouraging detail:
Giving by individuals made up two-thirds of all charitable contributions.
That’s people like you and me. People who felt grateful. People who felt blessed. People who looked at what they had—even if it wasn’t perfect—and still said, “I can share some of this.” Rising incomes and a strong stock market played a role, of course, but the heart behind the numbers matters just as much. Gratitude inspires generosity, and generosity is contagious.
The Ripple Effects of a Strong Market
Speaking of the strong market, its influence didn’t stop at individual giving.
Foundations, which often invest to grow their endowments so they can give more, saw those investments thrive. As a result, foundation grants increased, helping nonprofits expand programs, fill gaps, and serve more people.
Corporations stepped up, too, expanding matching-gift programs. If an employee gave, the company matched it—sometimes doubled it—and that transformed individual contributions into real momentum for countless causes.
And then there’s a trend I absolutely love:
collective giving.
Small groups. Friend circles. Book clubs. Neighborhoods. Church groups. Co-workers. People gathering around shared values and shared hopes, pooling resources, and making a bigger impact together than any of them could alone. It’s generosity, but it’s also community. It’s giving, but it’s also a connection.
Isn’t that exactly what this season is supposed to be about?
Looking Ahead: 2025 Is Still Ours to Shape
Now, those are the numbers for 2024—but here’s the exciting part:
2025 isn’t over yet. Not even close.
We still have time to make this the most generous year on record. We still have the opportunity to beat last year’s numbers. We still have time to give, to serve, to support, to uplift, to make someone else’s load a little lighter.
And don’t underestimate the little things. A $10 donation. An hour of your time. A kind word. A plate of food. A shared ride. A handwritten card. A moment of patience. A warm smile to someone who feels invisible.
Giving isn’t always about money. Sometimes the most generous thing we offer someone is our presence, our attention, or our kindness.
As You Celebrate, Use Your Common Cents
So today, on this Thanksgiving holiday, my invitation to you is simple:
Be present. Be grateful. Be generous in whatever ways you can.
And as we slide into Black Friday tomorrow, yes, I know, the big shopping energy is real!—don’t forget to use your Common Cents. It’s easy to get swept up in the sales, the urgency, the “limited-time offers,” and the cart that somehow fills itself. But shopping can be joyful and thoughtful. We can enjoy the season, enjoy the deals, and still stay grounded in what matters.
Remember: generosity and good financial decisions are not opposites. In fact, they go hand in hand. When you’re intentional about how you spend, you’re often more intentional about how you give.
A Final Word of Thanks
Before we all head off to celebrate, rest, feast, and maybe sneak a forkful of mashed potatoes straight out of the serving bowl (no judgment—I’ve done it, too!), I want to say this:
Thank you.
- Thank you for being part of a nation that gives.
- Thank you for caring.
- Thank you for showing up for others.
- Thank you for making generosity a living, breathing part of who we are.
Let’s make the rest of 2025 a season of abundance, not just in what we receive, but in what we give.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends. Use your common sense, enjoy your holiday, and may gratitude lead the way.
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Image by MoiCitoyen from Pixabay
