Giving to donor-advised funds surges on expiring tax cuts and a hot stock market

Core Insights - Charitable giving saw a significant increase in 2025, driven by strong stock market returns and tax reform, with donors granting a record $9.9 billion to charities, marking a $2.2 billion or 28% increase from the previous year [2]. Group 1: Charitable Giving Trends - The total charitable contributions reached $9.9 billion in 2025, reflecting a substantial growth of 28% compared to the prior year [2]. - A record 74% of contributions were made in the form of non-cash assets, including ETFs, index funds, real estate, and cryptocurrency [4]. Group 2: Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) - Donors can contribute cash or assets to donor-advised funds (DAFs) and receive an immediate tax deduction, allowing them to decide later how to distribute their gifts [3]. - DAFs provide a simpler way for donors to offload appreciated assets without incurring capital gains tax, as assets continue to appreciate until grants are made to charities [3]. - Julie Sunwoo, president of DAFgiving360, emphasized that DAFs excel in helping donors manage appreciated or illiquid assets, allowing for strategic planning in charitable giving [4].