SAN FRANCISCO – September 28, 2026 -- More than 4 in 5 adults in the United States (85%) and United Kingdom (86%) say cost-of-living pressures have stopped them from donating or donating more over the past six months, according to a new Harris Poll survey of over 3,000 adults commissioned by nonprofit lender Kiva.
Despite the squeeze, 77% of U.S. and 80% of UK adults still gave money in some form during the same period, the survey found. The data lands against a backdrop tracked by Giving USA, which recorded record total charitable giving of $617.20 billion even as individual donors' share of that total slid from roughly 80% in past decades to 64% today.
Donors demand measurable impact over check-writing
About three-quarters of respondents in the U.S. (74%) and UK (76%) said giving that produces measurable, long-term impact matters more than immediate short-term results. Roughly 7 in 10 adults in both markets (71% U.S., 69% UK) said writing a check alone does not solve a problem, and that donating time and connections is what drives change.
Dissatisfaction with existing fundraising models runs deep: 72% of U.S. adults and 67% of UK adults said most charities focus too heavily on soliciting donations rather than proving measurable outcomes.
Climate-linked giving and small-dollar contributions gain ground
Roughly 70% of U.S. adults and 69% of UK adults said donating to climate-impacted communities is more critical today than ever before. On format, 74% of U.S. and 73% of UK respondents said recurring donations of $25 or less feel more sustainable than a single large gift, while 58% of U.S. and 60% of UK adults said group donations feel more impactful than giving alone.
"Despite tight budgets, the desire to give remains strong," said Vishal Ghotge, CEO of Kiva. "People are choosing to give where they see clear impact while being realistic about how much they can contribute."
Kiva pairs small-dollar lenders with institutional capital
Ghotge said Kiva's crowdfunded lending model works by combining grassroots small-dollar contributions with matching capital from institutional partners and major donors, converting the pooled funds into what he described as permanent economic independence for borrowers.
The Harris Poll fielded the survey online between August 28 and September 1, 2026, among 2,019 U.S. adults and 1,001 UK adults, with margins of error of +/-2.7 and +/-3.4 percentage points respectively at a 95% confidence level.