National Philanthropic Trust Reports 20% Growth in Donor Grants to Charities
The National Philanthropic Trust (NPT), a prominent public charity that oversees donor-advised funds (DAFs), has disclosed an impressive increase in charitable contributions as of Fiscal Year 2025. In a remarkable stride for philanthropy, NPT reported grants totaling $6.61 billion, reflecting a significant 20% growth compared to the previous fiscal year. This surge in donations not only underscores the power of collective giving but also highlights the continuing dedication of philanthropists towards impactful social causes.
In total, over 48,000 charitable organizations across the nation and in 67 other countries benefitted from NPT’s grants, illustrating a strong year-over-year performance in both the value of donations and the number of organizations supported. Notably, the volume of grants increased by 25%, with 161,515 awards made, thereby enhancing the overall reach and support of charitable endeavors during this period.
"The basic message is clear: Our donors are making a profound impact, and we are witnessing a pivotal movement of generosity that is essential for the nonprofit sector," remarked NPT President and CEO Holly Welch Stubbing. "Supporting the causes that matter most to our donors, whether they are local or global, is vital. We anticipate this trend of generosity will persist into 2026, particularly as donor-advised funds respond to critical needs and foster innovations to transform social impact."
Diving deeper into the numbers, an astounding two-thirds of all grants were unrestricted, which reflects a strong 72% increase from 2024. This unrestricted funding is particularly crucial as it allows organizations the flexibility to allocate resources according to their immediate needs. Furthermore, the Environmental and Health sectors experienced the most notable grant increases, with 41% and 39% growth, respectively, indicating a growing focus on these essential areas.
Notably, the international focus of NPT is also commendable, with grantmaking to international organizations growing by 25% to reach $439 million. The volume of grants recommended internationally soared to 1,242, marking an extraordinary 428% rise compared to the previous fiscal year. This shift suggests that NPT donors are increasingly recognizing the importance of supporting global initiatives alongside domestic ones.
In addition to these impressive figures, NPT’s affiliates, NPT UK and NPT Transatlantic, recorded commendable increases in their grantmaking volumes for Fiscal Year 2025, further establishing their global influence in the charitable sector.
For those unfamiliar, the National Philanthropic Trust was established in 1996 and has since become a leading player in managing donor-advised funds, having raised over $80.2 billion in charitable funding. With more than 930,000 grants surpassing $37.7 billion allocated to nonprofits worldwide, NPT continues to set the standard for philanthropic engagement and impact.
As we look ahead, NPT encourages more individuals to consider donor-advised funds as a way to channel their generosity effectively. The organization also provides resources and options for those interested in impact investing, highlighting its commitment to not just meeting the needs of today but also addressing the challenges of tomorrow. To learn more about their offerings and the impact of DAFs, visit NPTrust.org and NPTGivingPoint.org.