The Global Philanthropy Tracker (GPT) is a first-of-its-kind report and the only ongoing research effort to measure cross-border private philanthropy flows at the global level. The 12th edition of the series, the 2026 GPT report tracks cross-border philanthropic flows from 47 countries. Using 2023 as the reference year (the most recent year with available data for most countries), this report establishes a baseline ahead of the substantial official development assistance (ODA) cuts introduced from 2024 onward.
Measuring cross-border giving
Countries covered in the 2026 GPT
The 47 countries represented in the 2026 GPT report cover every world region and varying levels of economic development. They represent a combined 60% of the world population and 83% of the world’s total gross domestic product (GDP).
In the report, the countries and the data are grouped by income level as defined by the World Bank‘s measure of gross national income (GNI). While GNI per capita does not directly measure a country’s overall level of development, it reflects the income earned by a country’s residents and is widely used as an indicator of economic capacity. GNI per capita is also closely correlated with other commonly used measures of living standards, such as child mortality, life expectancy, and school enrollment.
Presenting cross-border resource flows by income group therefore provides a useful framework for understanding cross-border philanthropy in the broader context of economic development.
Cross-border philanthropic outflows from 47 countries, 2023
Source: Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2026 Global Philanthropy Tracker.
Total Cross-Border Resources
In total, the countries covered by the 2026 GPT contributed USD 82 billion in philanthropic outflows in 2023. When combined with ODA, remittances, and private capital investment, the total rises to USD 860 billion. The largest portion of this money comes from the high-income countries, which contributed about 95 percent of the total amount measured.
Outflows by Cause and Recipient Region
The 2023 data reveal a cross-border philanthropic landscape shaped by both urgency and continuity. Emergency & Humanitarian Aid and Education emerged as the most widely supported causes, reflecting a dual focus on crisis response and long-term human capital investment. Social Services & Infrastructure followed closely, highlighting sustained attention to community-level needs. Overall, cross-border giving remained concentrated on addressing pressing social challenges, with comparatively limited emphasis on cultural or advocacy-oriented causes.
In 2023, the geographic focus of cross-border philanthropy shifted notably. The Middle East emerged as the most widely supported region along with Africa, which was the top recipient region in 2020. Europe followed closely as the second most frequently supported region. The 2023 data suggest that donor attention has become more crisis-driven and regionally concentrated compared to previous years.
For information on further changes since 2020 and potential future trends, please visit the Trends & Themes page.
Looking Ahead
Global philanthropy stakeholders can act more strategically by considering the broader landscape of cross-border financial flows. The year 2023 serves as a baseline for assessing future changes before substantial ODA cuts reshaped the landscape. As the implications of this shift become clear—including ways that philanthropy, remittances, and private capital investment may or may not be addressing gaps exposed by retreating ODA—the importance of a comprehensive understanding of cross-border flows will only increase.
Effective decision-making in global philanthropy depends on better data. To improve the availability and quality of global data on philanthropy and various tools adopted in fostering resource flows across borders, funding needs to be directed toward strengthening coordinated initiatives for data tracking internationally, providing long-term support for research infrastructure, and building capacity for data collection in low- and middle-income countries, especially among those with a favorable environment for philanthropy.
Strengthening the enabling environment to unlock the full potential of philanthropy. Philanthropy plays a unique role globally, providing stable financial support over time and acting as a catalytic force in addressing complex crises and challenges. To further this catalytic role of philanthropy, especially in a time of fiscal restraint for governments, it is vital to create and strengthen a favorable environment that enables private actors to efficiently mobilize resources for the public good.