National Philanthropic Trust (NPT) has announced that it awarded $4.64 billion in grants through donor-advised funds (DAFs) during fiscal year (FY) 2023, representing a 362 percent increase from FY2018.

The number of grants totaled 107,464, representing a 4 percent year-over-year increase and a 162 percent increase since fiscal year 2018. However, the total is down 16 percent year-over-year from the $5.53 billion NPT awarded in FY2022. In all, 36,535 charitable organizations received donor-recommended grants in FY23, which represents a 5 percent increase from FY22 and a 118 percent increase from FY18. Grants were awarded to organizations in every state, the District of Columbia, and 57 international charities, with the total dollar value of international grantmaking increased 6 percent.

“The data highlights how actively and reliably our DAF donors are supporting charitable organizations during global economic uncertainty,” said NPT chief executive Eileen Heisman. “During the Great Recession and the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, DAF grantmaking grew at historic rates. Now, charities are facing the impact that inflation and high interest rates are having on their operating budgets and missions. Consistent unrestricted giving, the most common grants that DAF donors recommend, helps charities to further their respective missions in the United States and around the world.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Donald Gruener)