Charitable giving supports a variety of organizations, including those that provide essential services to the community and people in need. The level of giving shows residents' willingness to invest in programs and organizations serving the community.

In 2021, the average charitable contribution in Lancaster County was $28,700, above the average for Pennsylvania ($19,500) and the U.S. ($22,500).

Although the average contribution per person appears to have doubled from prior years, this is primarily due to a change in tax law that altered the number and type of filers itemizing charitable contributions. This makes 2018, and any subsequent years, not directly comparable to prior years.

The average charitable contribution in 2021 was higher in Lancaster than in any surrounding county, including Berks ($15,800), Chester ($22,900), Cumberland ($19,000), Dauphin ($16,200), Lebanon ($23,500) and York ($16,300) counties.

Figures are in constant 2022 dollars. These figures reflect contributions listed on tax returns with itemized deductions, which researchers estimate cover about 80% of all charitable giving nationally. High-income taxpayers are much more likely to file tax returns with itemized deductions than those with lower incomes. No county or state data are available on charitable contributions by taxpayers who take the standard deduction.