A hearing focused on efforts that policymakers can support to incentivize charitable giving during the COVID-19 crisis was held on Capitol Hill last week. In opening remarks, lawmakers acknowledged that the pandemic has led many Americans to turn to nonprofits for support and basic needs, yet nonprofits are facing serious economic challenges themselves.

Prior to the pandemic, we were already seeing the total number of individuals giving on the decline and a drop in giving among Americans from lower-income households.

• In 2016, the average American donor contributed $2,763, or about 3.7%