St. Jude patient Za'Mya
What is the average charity donation amount?
The average donation to charity can depend greatly on both demographics and the types of charities being donated to. For example, the average monthly donation for a St. Jude Partner in Hope is $25 per month. That said, when you donate to a charity, no amount is too small.
At St. Jude, your donation can help provide families with a sense of hope during a difficult time, all while helping St. Jude continue to lead the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Deciding how much to donate to charity
There are important things to consider when deciding how much you would like to set aside for charity.
Your budget
When incorporating charitable giving into your budget, it’s important to focus on an amount that’s sustainable for your household. Consider basing this amount on your monthly income. For example, you may feel comfortable giving a set amount or a percentage of your monthly income. After a few months of consistent donating, you may even find there's room in your budget to increase that percentage. You might also consider planning a quarterly or annual review of your charitable gifts to ensure you're on track to meet any philanthropic goals you may have.
Tax advantages
You’ll also want to consider the tax advantage when deciding on charitable contributions, as they can help lower your taxable income in the form of tax deductions. For example, St. Jude is a tax-exempt nonprofit charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This means that all charitable contributions to St. Jude are tax deductible.
Donation impact goals
Another important consideration when determining your charitable giving budget is what you would like your impact to be. What causes resonate with you? How much of a potential difference would you like to see your donation make?
For example, every donation to St. Jude makes a difference, and, by giving, you're helping kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases worldwide.
Opportunities to leverage employer matching
Something else to think about when deciding on a charitable donation amount is if you can stretch your impact even further by engaging in an employer-matching donation program. You may be able to double — even triple — your donation amount, depending on what programs are available to you.
Is there a limit on charitable donations?
There is no limit on the amount you can donate to St. Jude or to charity in general.
However, there are tax deduction limits depending on whether you’ve made monetary donations or donations of noncash assets like toys and supplies. For more information on this, we recommend you contact a professional tax advisor.
The impact of your donation on St. Jude patients and families
Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. Together, we can save more lives. See the impact your donation can make:
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$350 could help provide 30 platelet count tests*
St. Jude patient Adalyn and her mom
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$500 could help cover the cost of 25 sets of IV tubing for chemotherapy*
St. Jude patient Ava with her mom
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$750 could help cover the cost of a spinal tap*
St. Jude patient Lucas
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$1,000 could help cover the cost of three chest X-rays*
St. Jude patient Janelle with her dad
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$2,500 could help cover the cost of two days of outpatient visits*
St. Jude patient Mila and her mom
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$5,000 could help provide three days of chemotherapy administered intravenously to leukemia or solid tumor patients*
St. Jude patient Alanna with her mom
* When you make a donation using this information, your donation will be used to provide breakthrough research, treatment and cures. Items listed here are representative of services and supplies that are part of the treatment and care of children at St. Jude. The cost of each item or service is an approximation, and will vary based on actual costs incurred and individual patient needs. Your donation will be used for the general operating needs of St. Jude, where no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food.. Read more about approximated costs.
Your donation matters
Donating to St. Jude helps ensure families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live. There are several ways you can donate:
- Make a one-time donation online or via mail. You can also dedicate your donation to someone with a memorial gift.
- Become a St. Jude Partner in Hope when you commit to monthly gifts.
- Explore workplace giving, like seeing if your employer has a matching gift program.
- Consider leaving some of your assets to St. Jude with planned gifts through your will or bequest.
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Our unique operating model
There are great research institutions, great hospitals and great charities — we’re all three. See how we’re funded, how our operating model works and our plans for the future.
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How much of $1 donated goes to children and research?
For the past seven years, 82 cents of every dollar received has gone to support the treatment, research and future needs of St. Jude. No family ever receives a bill from St. Jude.
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Why support St. Jude?
Learn how supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital helps pediatric cancer patients worldwide.