JENKINTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Philanthropic Trust, one of the Top 25 largest grantmaking institutions in the US and the largest, national independent Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) sponsor, marks its 20th Anniversary in 2016 with an overview of the giving vehicle’s impact.
“Through the past two decades we have been honored to assist thousands of donors to achieve their individual philanthropic visions,” said Eileen Heisman, CEO of National Philanthropic Trust, an award-winning DAF sponsor. “From a women’s mission in Pittsburgh to a history museum in California to the Syrian Refugee crisis, NPT has helped donors support what means most to them in every US state and 59 countries. Since day one, NPT has been dedicated to providing philanthropic expertise to individual donors, foundations and financial institutions, enabling them to realize their philanthropic aspirations.”
Brief History of DAFs
The first DAFs were created in the 1930s. In the 1990s, DAFs began to grow in popularity, in part because of their flexibility for donors. In 2014, they accounted for more than 7 percent of all charitable giving ($12.49 billion) in the US, according to National Philanthropic Trust’s 2015 Donor-Advised Fund Report. Today, DAFs are the fastest-growing giving vehicle in the US.
Demystifying Donor-Advised Funds
1. Donors make an irrevocable charitable contribution of personal assets (cash, stocks, real estate, etc.).
2. Donors immediately receive the maximum tax deduction that the IRS allows.
3. Donors name their DAF account, advisors, and any successors or charitable beneficiaries.
4. The contribution is placed into a DAF account, where it can be invested and grow tax-free.
5. At any time, the donor can recommend grants from their account to qualified charities in the US or internationally.
Led by Heisman and a Board of Trustees comprised of nationally-known experts in philanthropy, law, business and nonprofit governance, NPT has raised $6.2 billion in charitable contributions and made more than 150,000 grants exceeding $3.6 billion to charities around the world since 1996. NPT currently manages $3 billion in charitable assets.
“NPT continues to be an incredibly flexible and donor-centric charity,” said Heisman. “We listen and respond creatively to our donors by accepting a wide range of illiquid assets, offering an independent philanthropic advisory network, and providing a global framework, such as international grantmaking and a UK-based affiliate, among other services.”
Concluded Heisman, “A sincere ‘thank you’ to all our donors who have helped NPT grow. We made 135 grants in our first year. So far, this past year we’ve made more than 26,000 grants totaling $626 million. We are honored to partner with our generous donors and excited about the immense potential the following decades hold for charitable giving.”
Earlier in 2016, NPT launched the first, most comprehensive digital narrative about the last 500 years of philanthropy, offering unique access to rarely seen images and video regarding charitable giving at HistoryofGiving.org.
About National Philanthropic Trust
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2016, NPT is the largest, national independent Donor-Advised Fund sponsor and has raised $6.2 billion in charitable contributions. NPT currently manages $3 billion in charitable assets and has made more than 150,000 grants exceeding $3.6 billion to charities around the world. NPT annually publishes the Donor-Advised Fund Report, the industry’s authority on the state of DAF giving. NPT is an inaugural supporter of #GivingTuesday. NPT has received the Exchange Seal from GuideStar.org for its commitment to transparency. More at NPTrust.org.
