Donor-advised funds (DAFs) once again proved their value and flexibility in times of uncertainty, with Vanguard Charitable reporting a record-breaking year of granting. From July 2024 to June 2025, donors contributed more than $3.5 billion to nonprofits, a 14% increase over the previous year. This included nearly 248,000 grants averaging $14,000 each, directed to 62,950 organizations across diverse areas such as human services, religion, education, health, and the environment. Since its inception in 1997, Vanguard Charitable donors have granted more than $22 billion to nonprofits.
According to Rebecca Moffett, president of Vanguard Charitable, donor generosity continues to grow even during times of uncertainty. She noted that the increase is not only in the total amount of funding but also in the number of organizations supported and the diversity of causes addressed. DAFs, she emphasized, enable donors to respond quickly to urgent needs while continuing to pursue their long-term philanthropic goals.
In the first half of 2025, giving surged by 30% compared to the same period in 2024, driven largely by disaster relief efforts in California and Texas. Donors issued nearly 13,000 grants totaling $110 million to 1,800 nonprofits, including over $11.2 million for hurricane relief and $10 million for wildfire response. More than half of all grant dollars (51.7%) were unrestricted, allowing nonprofits the flexibility to allocate funds where they were most urgently needed.
Human services, religion, and education emerged as the top causes supported in fiscal year 2025. The leading recipients by grant volume were Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, and Samaritan’s Purse. This broad range of support illustrates the role of DAFs in addressing both immediate crises and ongoing community needs.
Recurring giving also played a critical role in strengthening nonprofit resilience. Research by Vanguard Charitable found that 69% of annual grants are recurring, providing nonprofits with a steady flow of support. Moreover, recurring donors tend to increase their contributions over time, with the most recent grant typically 40% larger than their first over a five-year period.
A growing culture of generosity is also shaping the future of philanthropy. A Harris Poll conducted on behalf of Vanguard Charitable revealed that 36% of Americans view charitable giving as a civic duty, particularly during uncertain times. This sentiment is reflected in the way DAF donors consistently step up to support critical needs while fostering long-term sustainability for nonprofits.
