Americans gave nearly $450 billion to charity last year, which is one of the highest amounts ever recorded. This number comes as lawmakers have been looking for ways to expand tax breaks for donors amid the coronavirus pandemic. Charitable donations rose 2.4 percent in 2019 according to an annual survey by Giving USA. Individual giving accounted for about 69% of all donations, but the biggest jump came from the generosity of corporations. In 2019, businesses gave about $21 million, an increase of 11.4% from 2018. Also, giving by foundations reached a record high of $75.7 billion. "In March, lawmakers included a measure in the coronavirus economic rescue bill that allows individuals to write off as much as $300 in donations for 2020 even off they don't itemize their taxes."Typically, deductions for charitable donations are only afforded to those who itemize their tax returns or add up all of their individual tax breaks, which is only about 10% of taxpayers.