Boston-based Fidelity Charitable has announced that its donor-advised funds awarded $4.3 billion in the first half of 2021.

Donor-recommended grants made through June 30 represent a 27 percent increase on a year-over-year basis and impacted more than a hundred and twenty-three thousand charities. The increase follows a record-setting $9.1 billion granted in 2020, a 24 percent increase compared with 2019, as donors responded to the pandemic, the expanded social justice movement, and other needs in their communities.

"These incredible results suggest that our donors could surpass their record granting in 2020, showing us that people continue to prioritize generosity as we define the 'new normal'," said Fidelity Charitable chief operating officer Kristen Robinson. "It's very heartening to see much-needed support going to nonprofits as they continue to face challenges."