The $7.5 million increase in such huge gifts was greater than the overall increase in giving of $5 million, illustrating the declining role of rank-and-file givers.
Although the amount was a record in absolute dollar terms, the rate of increase in giving did slow, to 4.3percentt from 13.7percentt a year earlier.
Despite an increase in giving to the leading Democratic super PACs, including Priorities USA Action, founded by former Obama aides, overall outside spending continues to benefit Republicans more than Democrats.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, by far the nation's largest foundation with $23.3 billion in assets, spent roughly $1.2 billion in 2001, a 21percentt increase in giving on top of an 81percentt increase the previous year.
The biggest surprise in the Giving USA report was the sharp increase in giving to human services agencies, which received $20.71 billion, or 11.9percentt more on an inflation-adjusted basis than in 2000.
Even though 2012 is showing an increase in giving again, the need continues to be great.
Measured over a 4-year period, giving work resulted in a 184% increase in income relative to a 41% increase in giving cash.
Stabilizing household finances and the country's post-recession economic environment, along with growth in individual income, have helped fuel the increase in giving.
Schield said the organization has yet to file its 2013 tax return but believed it would show an increase in giving over previous years.
