"It's gratifying that gratifying that AEF donors are demonstrating such generosity, at a time when so many not-for-profit organizations are feeling the impact of diminished giving," said Phil Tobin, chairman and CEO of American Endowment Foundation, in a news release announcing the results. "In the aggregate, our donors recommended grants of nearly 14% of the assets in their Donor Advised Funds in 2009."
Tobin also noted an increase in contributions of appreciated assets, the kind of assets for which donor advised funds are particularly well suited.