The Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund - the 'for profit' Donor Advised Fund run by Fidelity announced that incoming contributions totaled $1.1 billion in 2009, up from $1.05 billion in 2008.

Their press release credited the rebound in major market indices in the second half of the year -- resulting in an increase in contributions of appreciated securities, as donors looked for ways to meet their philanthropic goals while taking advantage of the charitable tax deduction. In total, donors to the fund — the nation's largest donor-advised fund program and its third-largest public charity — supported more than 60,000 nonprofits and recommended more than 298,000 grants in 2009 — a 1.8 percent increase over 2008. For the third year in a row, the total grant amount recommended by Fidelity donors topped $1 billion.

The Community Foundation of Utah provide local services with the same tax benefits -- and with just as competitive administrative fees. We say THINK LOCAL.