The Charities Aid Foundation has reported an increase in the generosity of major donors in the last financial year, with more new trusts opened in 2011/12 than anytime since the global financial crash.

In its trustees report, CAF revealed that giving by major donors – for whom CAF runs a managed service – rose by 20 per cent between 2010/11 and last financial year, to reach £122.9m. Over the same time period, the number of donors who gave away more than £1m within the year doubled to 12.

The number of trusts created also increased by 208, the highest rise since the global financial crisis hit four years ago. Of the existing trusts held by CAF, clients added £146.9m into their accounts. CAF has attributed this performance to its improved relationships with third parties such as solicitors, wealth managers and private banks as well as personal referrals to the service.

In 2011/12 donations made to charities by donors through CAF totalled £401m, compared to £378m in 2008/2009.

Meanwhile, CAF reported similarly positive trends for corporate giving within the confines of its activity. The amount given away by companies increased by £6m to £71.5m in 2011/12 and CAF said it had taken £10.5m in new cash deposits from companies.

The organisation maintains its dominance of the payroll giving market, with more than 70 per cent of market share with regard to payroll giving processing, and said it had managed to secure an additional 12 “sizeable” contracts with new companies.