NPT Releases 2015 Donor-Advised Fund Report

We are proud to release our ninth annual Donor-Advised Fund Report, which identifies record highs for the fourth consecutive year in each key data point, with significant year-over-year growth.

Key findings from the 2015 Donor-Advised Fund Report include:

• Total charitable assets available for grant making in all DAFs totaled $70.70 billion (23.9 percent increase, continuing a trajectory of double-digit growth every year since 2010 and the second year assets have increased by more than 20 percent)

• Grants from DAFs to qualified charities totaled $12.49 billion (27.0 percent year-over-year increase), continuing an annual payout rate exceeding 20 percent for the ninth consecutive year versus 5 percent mandatory minimum for foundations

• Contributions to DAFs totaled $19.66 billion (14.1 percent increase)

• DAF accounts totaled 238,293 in the U.S. (8.8 percent increase)

• The average size of DAF accounts reached a record $296,701 (13.7 percent increase)

As the report reveals, DAFs are likely to continue this growth trajectory. They are fastest-growing giving vehicle in the US because of their flexibility, low administrative costs and the tax-free gains from investable charitable assets. Families, individuals and corporations are DAF donors. Despite a wide range of donor types and their personal interests, each share a common goal of delivering mission-critical funding to charitable organizations. DAF donors have supported large and small causes from coast to coast and beyond, including some of the most critical charitable moments in history. I am excited about what lies ahead for DAFs and the philanthropists who use them.