Learn About NPT
Philanthropy makes the world a better place.
We help donors, advisors, and institutions make it happen.
National Philanthropic Trust is the nation’s largest independent sponsor of donor-advised funds (DAFs). We partner with financial advisors, wealth management firms, family offices, and donors to deliver customized, expertly administered philanthropic solutions.
Drawing on decades of experience with donations, investments, and strategic grantmaking, we help you find best-in-class solutions for philanthropic challenges.
Since our founding in 1996, we have raised more than $92.2 billion in charitable contributions and currently manage $65.9 billion in charitable assets. We have made more than 1 million grants totaling more than $44.7 billion to charities all over the world. We rank among the largest grantmaking institutions in the world.
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Our Work
With thirty years of experience providing philanthropic expertise to donors and their advisors, we offer services for every stage of the charitable journey.
Donor-Advised Funds
We facilitate several charitable vehicles to meet the needs of diverse donors, like donor collaboratives, type 1 supporting organizations, and corporate- and foundation-advised funds—but our NPT DAFs are the most flexible and adaptable charitable vehicles on the market.
Philanthropic Consulting
Our team of charitable experts offers a variety of consulting services for donors at all stages, customized and tailored to their needs. We can help you refine your personal charitable focus and practice, provide in-depth research on specific issues or potential interventions to help you explore new avenues for your philanthropy.
Private-Label Solutions
We work with a broad spectrum of financial institutions—including RIAs, wealth management firms, and family offices—to deliver private-label donor-advised fund solutions powered by our philanthropic expertise and elevated by your brand.
Our Unique Approach
Global Grantmaking
NPT is committed to supporting grantmaking in an increasingly globalized world, which is why we are uniquely experienced in facilitating international grants. Since 1996, employing processes such as Equivalency Determination and Expenditure Responsibility, we have assisted donors in directing charitable funds to non-profits in more than 90 countries worldwide. We are the only independent donor-advised fund with a UK affiliate; NPT UK works with global donors who choose to base their giving in the United Kingdom, and their program NPT Transatlantic serves the needs of donors with tax obligations in both the U.S. and the U.K.
Thought Leadership
We support financial advisors, institutions, and donors with a wealth of data and insights to help them maximize the potential of their DAF. Through our DAF Insights series, we offer in-depth explorations of DAF strategies, and on our blog, we provide information and guidance on charitable trends. In 2006 we produced the original DAF Report, the first such resource to provide an overview of the DAF landscape and its growth, which is now an industry standard housed at DAF Research Collaborative. We are also able to leverage our philanthropic expertise for fee-for-service research; sophisticated donors looking for a deep dive on a particular charitable topic can engage our team to conduct field scans covering existing work in particular issue areas or geographies, or issue guides summarizing proven interventions for a specific charitable cause.
Support for Non-Cash Giving
In 2011, NPT became one of the first DAF sponsors to begin accepting non-cash assets as DAF contributions, helping donors to unlock the true charitable potential of their balance sheets. Our legal and operations teams have vast expertise in converting assets of all types, from restricted stock to hedge fund interest, real estate to cryptocurrency.
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Our History
National Philanthropic Trust was founded in 1996 out of Pitcairn, a family office based in Jenkintown, PA. NPT was conceived of as a national, neutral and more flexible alternative to commercially sponsored donor-advised funds.
We expanded the NPT program in 2000 by becoming the first independent organization to offer a private-label DAF option for financial service partners. That year, we also started branching out from donor-advised funds by managing our first Type I Supporting Organization. In 2011, NPT distinguished itself from peer DAF sponsors by starting to accept contributions of non-cash assets.
NPT grew our geographic base in 2011 by hiring our first west-coast representative. In 2013, we established our first international affiliate with NPT UK, whose programs serve the needs of global philanthropists who choose to base their giving in the U.K., including dual U.S.-U.K. taxpayers.
Twenty years after first offering online grantmaking services, in 2021, NPT launched NPT GivingPoint, a full-service online platform for donors to manage their NPT DAFs.
Today, we are investing in our platform of services, insights, and partnerships that make giving more accessible, efficient, and responsive. We are also strengthening our alignment with the wealth management community, so that charitable planning is an integral part of every conversation about legacy, family, and impact. Just as importantly, we are working with philanthropic organizations to boost their profiles and provide counsel on how to connect with prospective donors.
Transparency and Accountability
NPT is deeply committed to transparency.
Below, please find some information about our financial activity, as well as the organizational policies we follow to ensure a high standard of service for our donors.
Our Team
Over our years of operation, National Philanthropic Trust has assembled a team of experts who care deeply about the work of philanthropy, and who employ a solutions-oriented framework to facilitate our donors’ giving.
In addition to our experienced staff of charitable professionals, we also benefit from the leadership of our Board of Trustees, which is composed of nationally known experts in philanthropy and business.
Our Values at Work
At National Philanthropic Trust, we work to ensure that all NPT staff have equitable access to opportunities for learning, growth, and advancement. People are valued and respected for who they are—with opportunities to bring their entrepreneurial spirit and talents to increase giving around the world.
This lens toward diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) also informs the way we select our board members and vendors, because we believe that fostering a diverse environment is the best way to create an optimal experience for all donors, financial service partners, and grantees.
We approach all of our work with our values in mind:
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Inclusivity
Diverse perspectives give us our edge.
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Integrity
We do what’s right, even when it’s not easy.
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Innovation
We approach challenges with curiosity and creativity.
Open a DAF Account
Our nationally renowned donor-advised fund program is designed to help you to contribute a wider range of assets, including complex options like privately held businesses, real estate, and cryptocurrency. It is designed with flexibility in mind to allow you to maximize your tax benefits while also maximizing your philanthropic impact and carrying out your personal charitable mission.
You can open an NPT DAF in just minutes using our easy online platform, GivingPoint. Learn how below.
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Recent Updates
Why Sustainable Growth Now Depends on Advanced Planning
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NPT UK and Transatlantic: How Donors are Changing the World with Global Giving
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Charitable Deduction Limits: What Donors and Advisors Should Know Before Filing
Learn MoreRecent Articles
Our team of experts shares regular insights on philanthropic strategies.
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The Newsroom gathers press releases and articles on new NPT initiatives.
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