Assets in donor-advised funds hit $45 billion in 2012, as yearly contributions rose to $13.7 billion–equal to 45% of the amount contributed to private foundations that year, up from 36% in 2007, the National Philanthropic Trust calculates. “People once thought it was the lesser choice of a foundation, but now DAFs are the fastest-growing charitable vehicle out there,” NPT Vice President Andrew Hastings says.

Hear more on why donors are choosing Donor Advised Funds as vehicles for donations via this Forbes article.