In the evolving landscape of philanthropy, donor-advised funds (DAFs) have emerged as one of the most transformative tools for charitable giving. With their rapid growth and increasing adoption, DAFs are reshaping how donors engage with causes they care about—and how nonprofits can cultivate lasting, mission-driven relationships.
In celebration of DAF Day, a national day of giving that raises awareness about this powerful philanthropic tool, our experts Stephen Kump, President of DAFs, and Gary Pforzheimer, President of Planned Giving, were joined by Mitch Stein, Head of Strategy at Chariot, who shared proven strategies for maximizing DAF engagement and building sustainable giving relationships that benefit donors, wealth managers, and nonprofits.
The biggest takeaway? The time is now for nonprofits to unlock the full potential of their donors using DAFs to drive greater charitable impact. It’s time to reimagine the role of DAFs not just as financial vehicles, but as strategic instruments for impact. This movement invites nonprofit leaders to explore how DAFs can unlock deeper engagement, sustainable giving, and long-term philanthropic planning.
Why DAFs Matter Now More Than Ever
DAFs offer donors low or no start-up costs, flexibility, tax efficiency, and the ability to make thoughtful, long-term contributions—yet still take advantage of immediate tax benefits. But their true potential lies in how nonprofits harness them and their relationships with donors to build enduring partnerships. With $251 billion currently held in DAFs across the U.S., the opportunity to activate these funds for greater good is immense.1
From Transactional to Transformational: Rethinking DAF Engagement
Our experts covered key areas that every nonprofit can implement for greater impact:
- The DAF Landscape Today: The current trends, donor motivations, and emerging opportunities that are shaping the future of charitable giving.
- Strategic Fundraising with DAFs: Best practices for cultivating, stewarding, and converting DAF donors into long-term champions of your mission.
- Technology as a Catalyst: How modern, turnkey DAF platforms can elevate the donor experience and offer nonprofits a white-labeled solution that meets the expectations of today’s digital-first donors.
- Integrating Planned Giving: How DAFs can be seamlessly woven into broader philanthropic planning to drive deeper impact and legacy giving.
A Call to Action for Nonprofits
DAFs are no longer just a niche tool—they are central to the future of fundraising. By embracing their potential, nonprofits can move beyond transactional giving and steward meaningful, mission-aligned and enduring relationships with donors.
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1. 2024 DAF Report published by National Philanthropic Trust (NPT)
Total charitable assets in all DAFs totaled $251.52 billion in 2023, a 9.9 percent increase from the revised 2022 total of $228.92 billion.
