Charitable giving to the largest U.S. nonprofits increased 3.7 percent in 2020 on a year-over-year basis, driven largely by the wealthiest donors, the Chronicle of Philanthropyreports.

According to the Chronicle, about $1 of every $11 donated in 2020 went to the nonprofits on its "America's Favorite Charities 2021" list of the top hundred charities that received the most in cash and stock. Adjusted for inflation, those charities raised 2.7 percent more than in 2019. United Way Worldwide ranked first with more than $3.57 billion in contributions, up 3.3 percent from 2019, followed by the Salvation Army ($1.83 billion, up 30.9 percent), and ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Hospital ($1.63 billion, up 4.2 percent).

The charity that saw the largest year-over-year growth in the face of the fallout from COVID-19 was Feeding America (#33), which raised nearly $515.5 million — including $20 million from MacKenzie Scott — an increase of 353.8 percent. Other nonprofits that help meet basic needs and provide health care and/or disaster relief also saw significant increases, including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (#48, up 14.9 percent), Doctors Without Borders USA (#30, up 29.8 percent), and Samaritan's Purse (#23, up 37.7 percent). At the same time, pandemic disruptions resulted in declines for many nonprofits, including the American Cancer Society (#36, down 20.1 percent ) and Catholic Relief Services (#49, down 13.4 percent).

The study also found that, with the booming stock market, many donors gave to donor-advised funds. The five largest donor-advised fund sponsors collectively received $24.4 billion, more than the top twenty-three charities on the Chronicle's list, which brought in a total of $24 billion. Fidelity Charitable received $10.7 billion, up 25.3 percent from 2019; the National Philanthropic Trust $4.96 billion, up 90.6 percent; Schwab Charitable $4.72 billion, up 8.3 percent; the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program $2.08 billion, up 9.8 percent; and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation $1.99 billion, up 68.6 percent. The ranking aims to measure Americans' support of specific causes and organizations, and since DAFs are essentially giving vehicles rather than organizations, they were excluded from consideration.

"We are in a fortunate position to have such an influx of donors, but the need is enormous," Feeding America chief development officer Casey Marsh told the Chroincle. "The cameras have started to go away from the foodbank lines, but the lines haven't gone away. It's so incredibly important that people stick with us."

(Photo credit: LA Regional Food Bank)