What Do People Donate to the Most? Charity Events Revealed

Ever notice how some charity events pull in a mountain of support while others barely fill a tip jar? It’s not just luck — people have clear favorites when it comes to where they donate. Cash always tops the list, but the types of causes and even what’s donated can look totally different depending on the year or what’s happening in the world.

Donations usually flood in after big disasters — hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes, for example, bring out wallets in a way that almost nothing else can. Medical causes, especially cancer research and children’s hospitals, tend to tug at heartstrings year after year. And if you’ve ever dropped off dog food or blankets at your local animal shelter, you’re not alone — animal charities are huge magnets for generosity too.

But giving isn’t just about money. People fill food banks with canned goods, donate gently used coats in the winter rush, and even offer up tech gear like laptops and phones when schools put out the call. Certain charity events, like those fun runs and community fairs, make giving feel less like a chore and more like something you want to do — especially if there’s music, food trucks, or something for the kids.

• Top Causes That Get the Most Donations
• Money Isn’t the Only Thing—Popular Non-Cash Donations
• Events That Drive the Highest Participation
• How Your Donation Makes an Impact
• Tips to Make Your Giving Go Further

Top Causes That Get the Most Donations

If you ask most folks to name a charity event they’ve actually donated to, chances are, it falls under a few big umbrellas. The causes that consistently receive the most donations aren’t a secret—they’re just where people feel their gifts will matter most or hit closest to home.

Disaster relief always jumps to the front. After a major hurricane or earthquake, giving spikes fast. According to Giving USA, disaster relief gets a sudden boost—sometimes doubling or tripling normal donation rates—whenever headlines show big emergencies. People want to help right away, and online fundraisers make that easier than ever.

Medical causes are another huge draw. Think cancer research, children’s hospitals, and local health organizations. The American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital constantly pop up at the top of donation charts, pulling in millions every year. People either know someone affected or just feel the need to pitch in when it comes to health.

Animal shelters and wildlife rescue organizations never seem to be short on supporters. Last year, the ASPCA alone reported over $270 million raised, much of it through small, repeat donations. Clearly, a lot of us are softies for furry faces—my own family included, since Odessa practically lives for bringing home animal shelter flyers.

Hunger relief is right up there as well. Food banks across the U.S. saw their donations double at the start of the pandemic. For example, Feeding America moved millions of pounds of food every month, because people wanted their help to be felt in their own neighborhoods.

If you’re curious where the money really ends up going, take a look at this breakdown of top recipient causes from 2023:

Religious groups might surprise you by landing at the very top, especially since many local churches and faith communities are the first stop for donations after local disasters or personal emergencies.

So if you want your donation to match where most people are giving, pick one from that list. These popular causes aren’t just headlines—they’re real, ongoing priorities for givers who want to make a mark.

Money Isn’t the Only Thing—Popular Non-Cash Donations

When folks think of charity events, it’s easy to picture dropping a few bills in a jar. But honestly, non-cash donations make just as much noise and often fill urgent gaps that money alone can't cover.

One big example? Food drives. Shelters and pantries always need non-perishables, and people donate these by the truckload every holiday season. In fact, Feeding America reported that food banks handed out about 6.6 billion meals in 2023, and almost all of that came straight from donations of canned goods, rice, pasta, and more.

Clothes are a close second. Clean, gently used jackets and shoes get a second life thanks to school coat drives, community swap events, and disaster relief efforts. Experts say winter items—coats, gloves, scarves—go the fastest, especially when a cold snap hits unexpectedly.

It’s not just about stuff you can hold. Blood drives are a staple at many charity events. According to the Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. Donating blood costs you nothing but a bit of your time and can actually save lives on the spot. The same goes for hair donations for wigs, school supply backpacks, and even unopened hygiene products for shelters.

• Food: Canned soups, pasta, peanut butter, and baby formula always top the wish lists.
• Clothes: Jackets, sneakers, socks (new), and business attire are high-demand items.
• Electronics: Laptops, tablets, and phones get donated to schools or families in need, especially after remote learning shortages during the pandemic.
• Toys: New or gently-used toys flood donation bins before the holidays and can seriously brighten a kid’s year.

Some charity events even take furniture, bikes, or household appliances if they've got the setup. Of course, always check what’s actually needed—you don’t want to bury volunteers in items no one can use (think prom dresses in July or open boxes of cereal).

Bottom line: If you want to support a cause and cash is tight, don’t sweat it. Useful non-cash donations can be just as valuable at charity events—and sometimes, more so.

Events That Drive the Highest Participation

When it comes to charity events, some types just work better at getting people involved. The numbers tell the story. For example, charity events like fun runs, bike rides, and walks see crowds because folks can team up with friends or family, get active, and raise money at the same time. The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life pulls in millions each year and thousands walk for causes like heart disease, autism, or local animal rescues.

Benefit dinners and galas also make the list, especially with a social crowd that likes to dress up. These events typically cost more to attend, but people enjoy the social aspect, raffles, and live auctions. According to a recent Charity Navigator report, fundraising galas and dinners bring in about $40 billion a year in the U.S. alone.

Community drives – think coat, toy, or food drives – are super popular around the holidays. People want a quick, simple way to give back, so dropping off a box of pasta or a gently used jacket at a local collection point is a win. During the 2023 holiday season, Feeding America reported that food drives jumped by 18%, thanks to school and office efforts across the country.

Online events have really spiked in the last five years. Platforms like GoFundMe, Facebook, and Instagram make it ridiculously easy to share a cause and tap into your entire network fast. During GivingTuesday in 2024, over $3.1 billion was raised online in just one day, shattering previous records.

The bottom line: people turn out in droves for charity events that feel active, social, and easy to join. If you want to boost participation, pick something where people can show up with friends or do a small act of kindness from their couch.

How Your Donation Makes an Impact

Ever wonder what actually happens when you drop a few bucks or boxes at a charity event? Your donation doesn't just disappear into the void. It does real work, and the results are often easy to track if you know where to look.

For money donations, about 75 cents of every dollar (on average) goes straight to the mission, whether it’s buying meals for food banks or covering treatment for sick kids. Big, established charities often post their spending breakdowns online, so you can actually see the impact. For example, the American Red Cross published that in 2023, 90% of every dollar spent supported their programs and relief services.

If you donate items, it’s not just about clearing out old closets. Winter coat drives stock shelters right before the first cold snap. Donated laptops for school charity events get logged, wiped, and handed off to students who need them for homework. Food banks are straightforward—they sort, pack, and ship meals within days, especially when demand spikes during the holidays.

Take a look at how a typical cash donation might get split at larger charity events:

Getting involved yourself (volunteering, for example) stretches your helping power even more. If you’re careful about where you give—choosing groups with good public reporting and reviews—your donation will almost always move the needle faster and farther. Some charities will even send thank-you notes or updates, which can be a pretty satisfying reminder that your effort just made someone’s day easier.

Tips to Make Your Giving Go Further

Want your charity events donation to have real impact? It’s not just about how much you give—it's about how you do it. Some surprisingly easy tweaks can stretch your money and efforts way further.

• Double Down With Employer Matching: Some companies match what you donate dollar for dollar. If you’re not sure, check your HR policies. Last year, according to Double the Donation, $2-$3 billion was donated through matching gift programs in the U.S., but billions more went unclaimed because folks just didn’t ask.
• Give Regularly, Not Just Once: Monthly giving actually keeps a charity going all year. It also helps groups budget smarter, so they're not scrambling during slow months.
• Pick High-Impact Charities: Not all organizations use donations the same way. Sites like Charity Navigator or GiveWell can show you which groups spend smart, with more going to helping and less to overhead.
• See If There’s a Tax Break: If you’re in the U.S. and you donate to a registered nonprofit, you can usually write it off come tax time. Save those receipts — they add up.
• Focus on Needed Goods: If you’re giving items, check the group’s current needs list. Food banks get overloaded with canned corn but sometimes desperately need things like diapers or fresh produce.

Check this out if you want to compare donation impact with actual numbers. Here’s what $100 can do at various charity events:

One last tip: share your favorite charity events with friends. Studies show social media posts or group fundraising challenges can boost donation totals by 30% or more. Your own excitement is contagious.