Donor-advised funds from Fidelity Charitable reach nearly $1.5B

A RECORD of more than 310,000 donor-recommended grants totaling nearly $1.5 billion was made by Fidelity Charitable to charities during the first half of 2015, a 33 percent increase over the same period a year ago.
A RECORD of more than 310,000 donor-recommended grants totaling nearly $1.5 billion was made by Fidelity Charitable to charities during the first half of 2015, a 33 percent increase over the same period a year ago.

BOSTON – A record of more than 310,000 donor-recommended grants totaling nearly $1.5 billion was made by Fidelity Charitable to charities during the first half of 2015, a 33 percent increase over the same period a year ago.
“The acceleration of granting reflects our donors’ active approach to philanthropy,” Amy Danforth, president of Fidelity Charitable, said in a statement.
“Our program relieves donors of much of the administration associated with giving so they can focus their energy on the most fulfilling part of philanthropy, recommending grants to support their favorite causes,” she said.
During the first six months of the year, grants recommended by Fidelity Charitable donors supported more than 69,000 charities, including nonprofits in 50 states and some international charities.
Grants ranged from $50 to many millions of dollars, with an average grant size of $4,700. In addition, 166 grants of $1 million or more, totaling $329 million, were recommended, a 60 percent increase in grants of that size compared with the first half of 2014.
Since its inception in 1991, 65 percent of contributions to Fidelity Charitable have been expended, more than $20 billion grants in all, supporting more than 210,000 charities.
The organization also released updated guidance for donors seeking to support the Nepal earthquake recovery efforts. Six primary areas of need have been identified – shelter, sanitation and public health, health facilities, women’s health, child nutrition and education.
“In fluid situations like the Nepal recovery efforts, timely information empowers donors to take action,” Matt Nash, senior vice president of donor engagement for Fidelity Charitable, said. “Nearly one-third of our grants designated for Nepal relief were directly linked to the giving guidance we posted two days after the first earthquake. We hope this new information will, again, help donors confidently support the cause.”
Through June 30, Fidelity Charitable made more than 5,811 donor-recommended grants, totaling nearly $7.8 million, designated for the Nepal relief efforts.

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