In proportion to its GDP, the Netherlands has more wealth in charitable foundations than any other nation in the world, according to The Global Philanthropy Report by the Harvard Kennedy School; Switzerland is #2.

By the numbers: Overall, U.S. philanthropies are the wealthiest, with $890 billion in assets. But as a share of GDP, the Netherlands and Switzerland each have substantially more invested in charities than the U.S. or anywhere else.

• On average, U.S. foundations spend a greater share of their assets than either Switzerland or the Netherlands — 9%, according to the report. This "spend rate" highlights the share of foundations' money that has the potential of making more immediate social impacts.
• American charitable foundations spend a lower percentage of their wealth than foundations in countries like Spain and France, which on average spend about a third of their philanthropic assets on their social programs, grants, administrative costs and supporting third parties.

Our thought bubble, per Axios’ Felix Salmon: In countries like Canada and Ireland that have robust social safety nets, the need for permanent philanthropic capital is lower — which could be why foundations in those nations have less in assets.

The big picture: The study found that philanthropy is on the rise around the world, thanks in part to global economic growth. And more than 90% of charitable spending worldwide comes from European and U.S. foundations.

Go deeper:

• Billionaire philanthropists turn money into influence
• Donor-advised funds: A tax break now, money for charity later
• For space billionaires, their companies are their gift

• "Donors can contribute to the fund as frequently as they like, and then recommend grants to their favorite charities whenever [it] makes sense for them."

Driving the news: The amount of money in DAFs keeps growing: 13% of all individual, charitable contributions now go into these funds, up from 4% in 2010.

• It's too early to say, but DAFs could get a boost from President Trump's new tax code, allowing philanthropists to take an up-front tax break long before the money makes it to any specific cause.

Between the lines: Critics of DAFs see them as easy tax breaks for the wealthy with no enforcement mechanisms to ensure that money actually goes to charity.

• In the short term, these funds may mostly benefit fund managers.
• As of 2018, there was $121.42 billion sitting in DAFs.

On the other hand, the payout rate from DAFs to charities is more than 20% a year, according to NPT.

• Last year, "grants from donor-advised funds to charitable organizations reached a new high at $23.42 billion," the group said in its report. "This is an 18.9 percent increase from a revised 2017 total of $19.70 billion."

What to watch: In an economic downturn, the funds waiting and growing in DAFs could provide a steady stream of money to charities that would otherwise suffer in a recession.

Go deeper:

• Billionaire philanthropists turn money into influence
• Donor-advised funds: A tax break now, money for charity later
• "Giving Circles," which pool money for a cause, are on the rise

By the numbers: Friendsgiving — at least in name — is more common in urban areas.

• The top areas for Friendsgiving Google searches include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, San Jose and Chicago.
• The top cities for Friendsgivings according to Evite data are Chicago, Houston and L.A.
• While the number of people invited to Friendsgiving gatherings has risen, the average size of each party has stayed the same — at 21 people, according to Evite.
• Most are potluck style, with almost a quarter of hosts asking guests to sign up to bring something.
• The fare doesn't always have to be traditional either, etiquette expert Lizzie Post told the Atlantic.

The big picture: According to Merriam-Webster, the use of "Friendsgiving" to describe an event that merges friends with Thanksgiving started around 2007 — and the coining of the word may itself have helped to popularize and commercialize the idea.

Friendsgivings for many are just a pre-party to a still family-centric holiday, but the trend also mirrors shifting lifestyles and demographics in the U.S.

• Urbanization, delayed marriage and delayed childbearing over the past few decades have reshaped social connections and personal obligations. Many young, single adults move to cities where they work, make friends, pay off college debt, date on apps and wait longer to settle down.
• Journalist Ethan Watters has argued that tight-knit friend groups of these young adults — or ""urban tribes" — are replacing family. Some city-dwelling adults may prefer to spend Thanksgiving with their tribe rather than relatives.
• "Lots of people who live in cities moved away for a reason," University of Toronto professor and urban theorist Richard Florida told Axios. "There is a pull and a push... maybe they 'can’t' go home" for Thanksgiving.

The immigrant share of the population has also risen significantly since the 1970s. Several Friendsgiving participants who work at Axios or responded to an Axios Instagram question said sharing the iconic American holiday with friends can provide a special experience for foreign-born guests who might not have the same points of reference.

• One person first started attending Friendsgiving while studying in the U.S. Now, they "keep doing it even though I'm back in Europe."

Between the lines: Friendsgiving is not just for Millennials. Some Gen Xers and Boomers tell Axios they were hosting and attending such gatherings in the '80s and '90s, without the catchy name.

What they're saying: Friendsgiving goers told Axios why Friendsgivings matter:

• "Have friends who have been cast out of their family because of their lifestyles."
• "Chosen family can be stronger than blood for some. It’s a great alternative for folks who struggle around the holidays."
• "Now that we live so far from family it's replaced the traditional family celebration."