The Strategic Giver: How Tech and Planning Fuel a Philanthropic Boom

MALVERN, Pa. – November 24, 2025 – A new survey reveals a significant surge in American charitable giving, but the real story lies not just in the amount donated, but how it's being given. As philanthropy evolves, a clear trend is emerging: intentional, planned giving, often powered by financial technology tools like donor-advised funds (DAFs), is dramatically amplifying charitable impact across the country.

A recent online survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Vanguard Charitable, a leading nonprofit and sponsor of DAFs, found that the average amount U.S. donors gave to charity in the past year rose to $1,394, a remarkable 29% increase from the $1,081 average reported in a similar 2024 study. While three-quarters of Americans donated to charity, the data shows a stark divide between spontaneous giving and strategic philanthropy, with the latter unlocking exponentially greater generosity.

The Power of Intentional Giving

The most telling finding from the survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults is the profound impact of simple financial planning. Donors who include charitable contributions in their annual budget gave an average of $3,001 over the past 12 months. This figure is nearly three and a half times more than the $808 average given by those who do not budget for their philanthropy.

This intentional approach doesn't just increase the total amount given; it also fosters a more consistent and growing commitment to giving. According to the study, 43% of donors with a charitable budget reported increasing their donation amount compared to the previous year, a rate more than double that of non-budgeting donors (17%).

"Year after year, Americans demonstrate remarkable power of generosity with their continued increase in giving. When we choose to make giving a priority—when we plan, budget, and act with intention—our impact multiplies," said Rebecca Moffett, president of Vanguard Charitable. This shift from reactive generosity to proactive, planned philanthropy marks a significant maturation in how individuals and families are approaching their role in supporting civil society.

The trend is corroborated by broader industry analysis. The Giving USA 2025 report noted that total charitable giving in the U.S. reached a record $592.50 billion in 2024, growing 6.3% and outpacing inflation for the first time in three years. This growth was largely attributed to a strong stock market and healthy GDP, creating an environment where planned giving could flourish.

The Donor-Advised Fund Revolution

At the forefront of this strategic shift are Donor-Advised Funds, which are rapidly becoming the preferred vehicle for tech-savvy and forward-thinking philanthropists. A DAF acts like a charitable investment account, allowing a donor to make an irrevocable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to qualified charities over time. The funds within the DAF can be invested and grow tax-free, creating even more capital for charitable causes.

The Vanguard Charitable survey highlights the immense financial leverage these tools provide. Donors utilizing a DAF gave an average of $4,341 in the past year—a figure that is, once again, 3.5 times more than the $1,215 given by donors without a DAF. Furthermore, an overwhelming 88% of DAF donors reported having a charitable giving budget, cementing the link between these financial tools and intentional philanthropy.

This is not an isolated phenomenon. Other major DAF sponsors report similar explosive growth. Fidelity Charitable, the nation's largest grantmaker, saw its donors recommend a record $14.9 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from the prior year. Likewise, DAFgiving360 (formerly Schwab Charitable) reported its donors increased giving by 31% to $6.6 billion in its most recent fiscal year. These platforms are making strategic giving more accessible, with some offering accounts with no minimum balance, democratizing tools once reserved for the ultra-wealthy.

Fueling Philanthropy in Times of Crisis

The efficiency and flexibility of DAFs become particularly critical during emergencies, enabling a rapid and robust response when needs are most acute. The survey found that DAF donors contributed an average of $1,874 to disaster relief efforts in the past year, nearly three times the $644 given by non-DAF donors.

This capacity for rapid deployment was starkly illustrated during the recent government shutdown from October 1 to November 13, 2025. As federal funding for essential services paused, private philanthropy stepped in to fill the void. During that period, Vanguard Charitable donors directed $20 million to 775 food banks and free food programs—more than tripling the $6 million granted to such organizations during the same period last year. The number of individual grants to these causes surged by 150%, demonstrating how DAFs can quickly mobilize resources to address immediate community hardship.

This responsiveness extends to natural disasters as well. Following major events like Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, DAFs served as a crucial conduit for relief funds, allowing donors to act immediately without the administrative delays of other giving methods.

A Resilient Generosity in a Volatile World

Despite economic headwinds and global uncertainty in recent years, the data paints a picture of resilient and growing American generosity. The sustained high payout rates from DAFs—consistently averaging above 20% annually according to the National Philanthropic Trust—help counter criticism that these funds might lead to warehoused charitable dollars. Instead, the evidence suggests they act as a stabilizing force, ensuring a steady flow of funds to nonprofits even during periods of economic volatility.

The growth in giving is not happening in a vacuum. It is deeply connected to a strong economic environment, particularly robust stock market performance, which has increased the value of assets available for donation. By allowing donors to contribute appreciated assets, DAFs provide a tax-efficient mechanism to translate market gains into charitable impact.

As the philanthropic landscape continues to evolve, the trend towards strategic, tool-driven giving appears set to accelerate. This movement represents a fundamental innovation in how society funds its most critical work, empowering a new generation of donors to be more effective, responsive, and impactful than ever before. This evolution suggests that the future of philanthropy may be defined not just by the size of the heart, but by the sophistication of the strategy guiding it.