Our granting history
With a donor-advised fund (DAF), donors are able to contribute assets to their philanthropic account. Once contributed, charitable assets are invested to potentially grow and generate more funds for charity. Donors can recommend grants to nonprofits at any time, and since 1997, Vanguard Charitable donors have granted generously and at an incredible rate.
Thanks to our donors, over $20 billion has gone to charities throughout the United States and around the world supporting a wide variety of charitable causes. The increased rate of granting further proves the impact of maintaining a philanthropic account over time. By having dollars committed to charity at all times and taking advantage of Vanguard Charitable’s cost-effective investments, donors can multiply their impact.
Fast Facts: Vanguard Charitable granting statistics
Total dollars granted:
$20 billion
Charities supported:
130,000+
Total grants issued:
1.8 million+
Average grant size:
$10,000
States and territories supported:
57
Countries abroad supported:
34
Anonymous granting:
Only 5% of grants are completely anonymous
Our organization’s history
Travel through time and learn about how Vanguard Charitable became a philanthropic leader.
1997
Vanguard Charitable is founded!
- Relying on time-tested Vanguard values, a new kind of donor-advised fund is born.
- The Vanguard Charitable donor of 1997 is a leader and a trailblazer. They want to give effectively and sustainably.
- With low fees and a long-term outlook front of mind, these donors are ready to make an impact.
2002
Donor-advised funds guided by Vanguard tenets are growing in popularity as awareness increases.
- More donors are committing to making a philanthropic impact.
- By year’s end, Vanguard Charitable sponsors over 1,700 DAFs.
- The Vanguard Charitable donor of 2002 has contributed to the nearly 25,000 grants that have been issued since inception – grants that total over $180 million.
2007
It’s time to celebrate 10 years of giving!
- The nonprofit industry is evolving, and philanthropists themselves are evolving in kind.
- Donors are becoming more intentional and proficient givers; their impact on the nonprofit landscape is growing.
- The Vanguard Charitable donor of 2007 has sent out their share of the cumulative $1.4 billion that has been issued to date, via an impressive 127,000 grants.
2012
While the world is still recovering from the global recession of 2008-2009, Vanguard Charitable donors continue to boost nonprofits that need support.
- Other revenue sources for giving dried up during the downturn, but the Vanguard Charitable DAF remains a secure and reliable source of giving.
- The Vanguard Charitable donor of 2012 has helped reach exciting new milestones, with total grants thus far surpassing $3.75 billion.
- There are six times as many accounts as there were in Vanguard Charitable’s first year.
2017
The giving landscape is becoming more globally-minded, as are Vanguard Charitable donors.
- A number of devastating hurricanes strike the globe, but Vanguard Charitable donors are well-positioned to respond and do so with great generosity.
- The Vanguard Charitable donor of 2017 is able react quickly and effectively in times of crisis, and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
- Since the organization’s inception, over 68,000 unique charities have received support from Vanguard Charitable donors.
- More than 40% of total grants are unrestricted, as compared to 30% in 2012.
2022
The explosive growth in the number of grants issued since 2017 alone is equal to our total growth over the previous 20 years.
- The total dollars granted to charity has doubled again, surpassing the astounding milestone of $15 billion.
- More than half of grants recommended from Vanguard Charitable DAFs are unrestricted, a clear sign that donors trust the nonprofits with whom they partner to best utilize available funds.
- The Vanguard Charitable donor of 2022 is a leader and an advisor.
- They offer philanthropic advice with unique insights and are trusted by their peers.
- They continue to look for new ways to expand their impact, and they fuel us in our vital work to maximize philanthropy over time.
Today
Vanguard Charitable continues supporting donors’ philanthropy to achieve our mission of increasing philanthropy and maximizing its impact.
- Dollars granted to charity is $20 billion and growing.
- Vanguard Charitable offers crucial insights into the nonprofit sector with our thoughtful reports, Why Giving Matters, and groundbreaking guidance tools.
- With so many charitable causes needing crucial support, there’s never been a better time to partner with Vanguard Charitable and see what your commitment to philanthropy can do
Ready to make a difference in this world?
Join us in our mission to amplify sustainable giving by opening a Vanguard Charitable donor-advised fund. We’re excited to assist you every step of the way.
Maintenance fee may be applied
Accounts having a balance below $25,000 may be subject to an annual maintenance fee of $250.
You are eligible for special rates
Our premier clients enjoy reduced pricing to further maximize their impact.
Our representatives are happy to guide you through.