2021 Giving Report

Extraordinary circumstances inspired extraordinary generosity in 2020. The Fidelity Charitable Giving Report looks back at how our community of more than a quarter million donors was a sustaining force in philanthropy in a year defined by unthinkable crises.

In 2020, Fidelity Charitable made

$ 5,236,358,731

in donor-recommended grants,
a 24% increase from 2019

Unique charities that received donor-recommended grants—with donors supporting many new organizations in addition to maintaining support for their usual charities.

2020 inspired active and engaged giving, with the average Giving Account recommending nearly 13 grants, up from 10.8 in 2019.

Grant recommendations that were designated “where needed most,” allowing nonprofits to choose how to address their most urgent and immediate needs.

SPOTLIGHT

In the chaos of a global pandemic, donor generosity provided hope

Donors responded generously to meet the variety of medical and economic needs brought on by COVID-19.

Two doctors putting on their plastic gloves

Donor support helped to address the critical medical needs of an overburdened healthcare system—including protective equipment and research for a vaccine.

A woman picking up a box of food off the ground.

Economic devastation wreaked havoc across the country, and food banks struggled to keep up with a dramatic increase in demand. Donor support for free food programs skyrocketed.

A woman sitting on a bus, looking out the window and wearing a protective mask.

As countless businesses shuttered and unemployment surged, donors sought to provide financial assistance to groups most affected by unemployment.

FUNDING DONOR GIVING

Strategic giving methods generate more dollars for charity

NON-CASH ASSETS

Two-thirds of donor contributions in 2020 were in the form of strategic non-cash assets, which can allow donors to give more than by selling the assets prior to contributing to charity.

INVESTMENT GROWTH

Even as donors stepped up their grant recommendations in response to the events of 2020, a strong stock market led to significant investment growth of charitable assets. Since inception, Giving Account growth has generated $15 billion in net dollars available for granting.

Celebrating our 30^th anniversary

Since inception in 1991, Fidelity Charitable has facilitated $51 billion in donor-recommended grants to charity. To celebrate our first 30 years, we’re looking back at our donor community’s support over time.

Two people serving food at a soup kitchen represent giving to the Human Services sector.

7.7 billion meals

Fidelity Charitable lifetime granting to free food programs could provide 7.7 billion meals—enough to serve dinner to every American for three weeks.

Two children smiling at the camera represent giving to the International Affairs sector.

1.2 million children

Fidelity Charitable lifetime granting to international relief organizations could sponsor 1.2 million children for a year.

A woman looking through a microscope represents giving to the Health sector.

4.7 million transfusions

Fidelity Charitable lifetime granting to hospitals is enough to provide 4.7 million red blood cell transfusions to kids with cancer.

Owl sitting in a tree represent giving to the Environment & Animals sector.

809.8 million trees

Fidelity Charitable lifetime granting to environmental conservation efforts could plant 809.8 million trees—the equivalent of shutting down 94 coal-fired power plants for a year.

Additional insights

What is a donor-advised fund?

A donor-advised fund is a simple, flexible and tax-efficient way to give to your favorite charities while potentially growing your donations over time.

Learn more