Vanguard Charitable has announced that its donors awarded a total of $952 million during the first half of 2022, a 14 percent increase year-over-year.

The organization estimates that grantmaking in the fiscal year that ended on June 30 totaled $1.9 billion. Through their donor-advised funds (DAFs), Vanguard donors distributed 83,838 grants with an average grant amount of $11,354 during the first six months of the year, a year-over-year increase of 7 percent and 6 percent, respectively. Since its inception in 1997, Vanguard Charitable has awarded more than $14 billion to nonprofit organizations.

According to the organization, the increased giving in 2022 is due in part to donors supporting disaster relief efforts, including humanitarian efforts aimed at helping Ukrainian refugees. Through June 30, Vanguard donors have awarded nearly $60 million to Ukraine relief efforts.

“We are inspired by our extremely generous donors,” said Vanguard Charitable president Rebecca Moffett. “Giving must continue during times of economic uncertainty to support those most in need, but maintaining a giving strategy is not always easy to do during these times. Our donors understand this and remain committed to giving due to the flexible nature of DAFs. The increase in granting we have seen so far this year exemplifies how our donors continue to provide a sustainable pipeline of funding to the cause areas and charities close to their hearts.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/fizkes)